TEST Valley's labour shortage could be eased if more child care places were made available but Test Valley's childcare development officer says there are factors which limit the number of places which can be created.

Under a Government-backed scheme 15,000 new child care places are supposed to come on stream by March 2004 - that translates as 330 a year in Test Valley between 2001 and 2004.

But training and recruitment pose a problem for those hoping to expand provision and the responsibilities that come from looking after other people's children also put off voluntary groups, says Karen McNamara, childcare development officer.

"The most off-putting factor is the requirements of the registration that OFSTED set out," she said .

"As a result new groups sometimes fold before they complete their applications for funding, or start up out of school clubs."

Staff recruitment continues to pose a problem because pay is rarely above minimum wage and the work only part time in an area where unemployment is already low.

Special efforts however, are being made to support new groups at Blenheim Hall and on Cricketers Way, the development officer told a borough council scrutiny committee.