PARENTS who asked for better child care have won a new before-and-after school club and a holiday club.

Haslingden Community Link Childcare Services has opened its doors in familiar surroundings for children - the former St Mary's RC School, on Piccadilly Street, Haslingden, which is now the link premises.

Childcare manager Claire Cartwright said: "A questionnaire went out to parents asking them what they wanted and from the feedback they said they wanted a before-and-after school club and a holiday club.

"We opened the before-and-after school clubs on June 4 and the holiday club will be open from July 23."

HCL Childcare received £49,000 from the New Opportunities Fund to finance the club for the first year and pay for its seven full-time and two part-time staff.

The breakfast club runs from 8 to 9am and the after-school club from 3 to 6pm. The holiday club will run from 8am to 6pm.

Up to 34 children can be accommodated before and after school, and the holiday club will be for 34 children aged four to 10.

St Mary's Playgroup has operated from the premises for 15 years, initially offering sessions in the mornings, then adding afternoon care.

From September the playgroup will become a full-time day nursery offering places for 30 children aged between two and four.