NEW holiday clubs for children are set to start up in Tavistock and East Cornwall after the areas scooped nearly £80,000 of Lottery funding.

A total of £1.4 million has been awarded to the Playlines Trust in the South West to create 2,017 new childcare places.

The funds will enable local people, groups and businesses to open after schools, holiday and breakfast clubs.

Tavistock Community Pre School and the Old School Children?s Centre have received £19,000 and £9,600 respectively to create holiday schemes for more than 40 children.

Similar clubs will be set up at Bere Alston Playgroup which has scooped £35,700 over three years and Callington Pre School which has been awarded £13,500.

The Playlines Trust works closely with four Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships in Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to ensure the funding and out-of-schools clubs are provided in places where they are needed.

Director of the Playlines Trust, Steve Keeble said: ?Once again this is great news for our children and parents.

?We are really excited to be developing new partnerships through this award. These kids? clubs are regular places where children can go after school or during the holidays,? he said.

?Those who do not have sports facilities provide a great range of other things to do from painting to play acting and doing things with friends.?

Mr Keeble said the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund was once again putting money into the heart of communities across the South West.

?After schools and holiday clubs are places where kids want to have fun and where parents know they are safe and secure.?

Bridget Mayes, who is part of the management team at the Old School Children?s Centre in Tavistock, said she was currently advertising for staff to run the holiday club.

?We are now into our second year of running the after schools club at Tavistock Primary which has been very successful and the holiday club will be an extension of that,? she said.

?It is a 24-place club but we need 16 children to make it viable. We are delighted to have received this funding and hope it will be a success.?