CHILDREN from one of Worcestershire's most deprived areas will be given the chance to fulfil their potential thanks to a £10,000 grant.

Worcestershire County Council has successfully bid for the cash from the Department for Education to create a new early years centre for disadvantaged children by September 2016.

This will be in Malvern and will offer a much-needed option for parents from Worcester City and Worcester South, where there is currently a lack of ‘outstanding’ childcare choices.

It will be run by the Madresfield Early Years Centre, which has been rated as outstanding.

Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah said: "Every child in Worcestershire should be able to fulfil their potential, whatever their background.

"Before they have even worn their school uniform for the first time, a child’s life chances are being decided.

"Early education not only sets a child off on the right foot at school, but has effects that last right into the workplace.

"We are committed to providing flexible, affordable and good quality childcare, giving parents from Worcestershire more of a choice about where they can send their children, so that they can get the best start in life."

The money is part of a project by the DfE to improve early years outcomes in disadvantaged areas, which sees £10,000 allocated to deprived areas where there is a demand for extra outstanding early years places.

Successful bids have to demonstrate they have the ability to "develop new provision and a viable and sustainable business model for setting up, opening and running the new setting".