A £2.2 MILLION project to build a new children and family centre in Sheerness has been boosted by a major Lottery award.

Plans for the centre - set to be built around the site of Rose Street Primary School - include a 50-place full day neighbourhood nursery.

Now it has been announced that the nursery scheme has won a grant of £282,627 from the New Opportunities Fund.

The fund's neighbourhood nurseries programme aims to create quality nursery care for young children living in England's most disadvantaged communities and allow parents to explore work and training opportunities.

Work on the centre, which will include a surgery housing up to three GPs, a cafÈ, multi-purpose rooms, welfare and community services, family garden and outdoor playspace, is expected to start next April and is due for completion by March 2004.

Much of the cost of the project has already been promised. Contributions include £850,000 from Sure Start, the state initiative to help the under-fives, £500,000 from the Government, £150,000 from Kent County Council and £50,000 from Swale Borough Council.