Families in an area of Watford will be offered free childcare under a new scheme that seeks to help disadvantaged children in Hertfordshire.

The Holywell estate is one of 13 wards in the county which will be targeted with nearly £400,000 of childcare grants to help low income families.

The areas were highlighted by an independent body as being those with the most young children living in poverty.

Hertfordshire County Council was one of fifteen local authorities to be chosen from 110 applicants to trial the free childcare places.

The cash, provided by central government grants, is, however, restricted to providing care to children aged two.

The authority's childhood support services team (Education and Early Intervention Group) will use the cash to improve the quality of childcare in disadvantaged areas.

John Harris, director of children's services at the council said, said: "Ensuring that children who live in low income families have access to early education supported by home learning will improve their school readiness."