IPSWICH Town is to become one of the first professional clubs to offer all-day holiday clubs for youngsters.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town is to become one of the first professional clubs to offer all-day holiday clubs for youngsters.

Known as 'The Dugout', the scheme will give working parents the opportunity to provide their sons and daughters with unique physical, educational and entertaining experience during the school holidays.

“The OFSTED accreditation for the scheme will put parents' minds at ease by confirming that the programme has been through a rigorous process to assure that the Community Trust is a suitable organisation,” says Town community trust learning projects manager Matt Try.

The Dugout gives parents on lower incomes an opportunity to claim up to 75 per cent of course costs back through the working tax credit scheme.

The scheme launches during the February half-term, and will then be open during 11 of the 13 weeks of school holidays each year. The only holiday during which The Dugout will not operate is the two-week Christmas break.

It will be open between 8.30am and 6pm each day and cater for ages eight to 12 years during this month's half-term.

The costs is £27 per day, and those wishing to sign their children into the scheme should telephone the Booking Hotline on 0845 1369 333.