Schools across Sussex are celebrating today following the announcement of a wave of grants which will fund more than 3,000 out-of-school childcare places.

Fifty-six awards, totalling more than £1.2 million, have been made from the New Opportunities Fund 's Out of School Hours Childcare Programme, to communities in the south east.

The cash, which comes from the National Lottery, will enable a variety of after school clubs, community groups and local authorities in Sussex to provide childcare for three to 14-year-olds before and after school hours and in holidays.

Among those to benefit will be a scheme run by Arun Leisure Centre in Bognor Regis which has been awarded £15,397 to provide 46 extra holiday camp places for children to learn magic and circus skills.

Brian Matthews of Arun Leisure said: "The award is good news for the children who will be able to take part in some really worthwhile and fun activities.

"And it will be very welcome, too, for parents who know their children are well looked after in a really stimulating environment."

Burgess Hill Sports School, which offers holiday places to five to 11-year-olds from local schools has been awarded £29,000, the Knoll After School Club in Hove has been given £22,500, while Grovers in Littlehampton has been awarded over £23,000 to provide 24 childcare places for Elmgrove County Infants School.

Other groups in Midhurst, Chichester, Haywards Heath, Rye, Horsham and Worthing have also been chosen for grants.

Baroness Pitkeathley, chairman of the New Opportunities Fund, said: "I am extremely pleased that we are continuing to help spread the availability of affordable, accessible and good quality childcare.

"These awards are the first from our Out of School Hours Childcare Porgramme since the recent announcement of a further £155 million for the initiative in England through which we will extend our existing out of school hours childcare programme and support childcare provision for pre-school children.

"We will now be able to channel even more support to childcare, enabling parents to have some of the opportunities and choices that are essential to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities."