Schools in Kingston have been given a £1.3million boost to take forward the Extended Schools programme.

The scheme is designed to use schools as a resource for the whole community, which the Department for Education and Skills praised Kingston for.

Extending schools into the community was also part of the Liberal Democrat manifesto in 2002, so the additional funding for 2006 to 2008 has been warmly welcomed.

The council's executive member for children and young people's services, Councillor Mary Reid, said: "We have already had the first year's funding and are pleased to have certainty about the next two years. Sixteen schools in Kingston have volunteered to lead the developments."

Schools taking part offer services including breakfast and after school clubs, drop-in advice sessions, adult learning classes and access to health and council services.