THE green-light has been given to a £1 million funding boost for York afterschool clubs.

At a meeting in the Guildhall last night, City of York Council education chiefs gave the go-ahead to five projects, with three given backing with conditions, but ten projects were turned down.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has awarded new additional capital funding of £1,010,743 over two years to support schools to extend their services by 2010.

Bids were invited from all schools, other than those which were proposed for designation as an Integrated Children's Centres (ICC), as these had already received funding.

All city schools were circulated with details of the funding and a total of 18 bids were received.

Coun Carol Runciman, executive member for children's services, said: "Some of the schools have been disappointed in not succeeding, but there has been a huge interest around the city on extended schools and I think there will be even more wanting to do this."

Among the winners were St Paul's Nursery and St Paul's C of E Primary, in Holgate, where a request for £250,000 has been earmarked to be given the go-ahead.

The money would be put towards building a community room for use by both schools and the local community, day time and evening. In addition, funds would be used to equip the room for a variety of organisations and needs.

Head teacher Susan Mistry said the money could be used for extended school activities across the school day, and will include an admin base for the joint activities.

At Stockton-on-the-Forest, the school, nursery and local community will all be able to benefit from a baby room on the front of the nursery, plus a baby change area and a small kitchen, thanks to an award of £170,000.

Head teacher Jane Nellar said: "We are delighted. We weren't sure we would get it, but it will mean a great deal for everyone here."

Meanwhile, at Copmanthorpe Primary, the school plans to convert an existing caretaker's bungalow for extended school day care provision.

The total cost of the project is £40,000, with £29,000 coming from the Extended Schools Fund (ESF) and the rest being made up by the school.

At Dringhouses Primary, a bid for £5,500 to build a canopy cover between three adjacent sides of the building to provide a year round outdoor play for the school's breakfast club has been earmarked for approval.

Among the losers were Poppleton Road Primary, which wanted £136,000 to convert a derelict building for pre-school provision, and Huntington Primary, which wanted £175,000 to install a mobile unit.