The amount of money available for childcare will more than double next year after a cash boost from the Government and National Lottery.

The Government and the New Opportunites Fund are each giving Brighton and Hove Council more than £150,000 to increase childcare facilities in Brighton.

The council's childcare budget next year will now be £600,000.

The new money will be channelled through the Brighton and Hove Early Years and Development and Childcare Partnership to projects such as funding to help people become childminders.

There will also be a network of childminders who reach national standards while more staffing will be made available for the Children's Information Service, a one-stop service to help people learn more about childcare.

A new business development officer will be appointed to help childcare providers while more childcare workers will be recruited.

There will be more pre-school places, especially in poor areas, and extra childcare places for children with special needs.

More than 1,100 out-of-school places will be provided through playschemes and after-school clubs over the next three years.

Lead councillor for early years Gill Mitchell said: "This huge increase in investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to families with young children.

"We particularly welcome the funding for out-of-school projects which will now be locally planned and co-ordinated."