NURSERY schools in Kendal and Barrow could be in line to feel the benefit of a substantial cash windfall.

A total of £88,870 of government money is up for grabs and Brantfield Nursery School in Kendal, and Hindpool and Bram Longstaffe nurseries in Barrow, are among the seven schools which are in the running.

The funding, which is only available to maintained nurseries which are not attached to schools, could be put towards projects such as developing shared play facilities or improving family support and health visitor contact.

However, local authorities are concerned that news of Cumbria's share of a £7 million Government hand-out has come a little too late in the day.

In a report to Cumbria County Council's South Lakeland area committee, CCC's director of education John Nellist said: "This allocation has been made very late in the financial cycle, and though welcome as a recognition of the significance afforded by the Government to nursery schools, there is a risk that it may not be committed to approved projects in sufficient time to satisfy Department for Education and Employment criteria."

He added that it would normally be expected that the money was spent by the end of the current financial year ending March 31, 2001.

Head teacher at Brantfield Nursery Sue Mathews, said the short notice of the funding announcement would not necessarily be an obstacle.

She said: "There is some concern there, but the DfEE have indicated that there will be some flexibility, and it is possible that they will extend the time limit."

Bids which have so far been put forward by nurseries in Cumbria include an extension of existing outdoor play facilities, classroom building projects and two head teacher secondments.