Stable staff with young families in Newmarket will find it easier to combine work and home commitments thanks to a new early-morning childcare service, the £13,000 start-up costs of which have been met by the British Horseracing Board.

The A1 Fun Club, which had provided only after-school care for children, is also now catering for children aged 2 years and older from 6am to 1pm on Monday to Saturday, meaning that childcare is now available from 6am to 6pm on Monday to Friday and from 6am to 1pm on Saturday.

BHB Chief Executive Greg Nichols said on Thursday: “The dedication of stable staff is something of which we are all very proud. BHB was very pleased to be able to respond positively to Racing Welfare’s request for support for the service, which makes it easier for stable staff to stay in racing while raising a family.”

Racing Welfare Chief Executive Sir John Kemball commented: “We are grateful to BHB for its generosity in providing the start-up costs. The service began on 24th June and numbers have been doubling each week. We are very pleased.”

There will be an opportunity for photographs and interviews at 9.30am on Thursday 11th July at the A1 Fun Club, The Ormiston Centre, 68 Mill Hill, Exning Road, Newmarket, telephone 07801 543785. The Centre belongs to the Ormiston Children and Families Trust and the service is run by Julie Hinson and Keilley Dudley.

For further information, please contact Alan Delmonte, BHB Communications Manager, on 07931 701536, or Sir John Kemball, Racing Welfare Chief Executive, on 01638 560763.