Parents will soon be able to attend health checks, take part in sport or report crimes at their child's school.

Education chiefs are setting up a pilot scheme in Bradford with the help of £565,000 in Government cash.

Ten schools have volunteered to act as a local base for other services such as childcare, health classes and adult education. They will also open up their sports facilities and rooms to community groups, turning into new-style Extended Schools.

Bradford is one of 25 authorities chosen by the Government to host the pilot project.

The schools, in five groups, are:

l Bradford Moor, Byron and Lapage Primaries

l Braithwaite, Greenhead High and Victoria Primary, Keighley

l Denholme Primary

l Farnham and Grange Road Primaries, Bradford

l Newhall Park Primary and Nursery.

"A number of schools are already working with community groups to offer services, and this project aims to build on those efforts," said Councillor David Ward, executive member for education.

"Schools sometimes offer the best facilities in an area. The funding will help us open up schools to local people during and beyond the usual school day, as well as at weekends and during the holidays."

Bradford Council has secured £225,000 from the Government and another £340,000, from Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities, to set up the scheme.

The details of exactly which services will be laid on at each school will be decided by school governors.

Ideas could include 'one stop shops' for health, education, police and social services; childcare facilities and creches; health drop-ins for parents; social clubs for elderly people and adult education.

Phil Green, director of education at Bradford Council, said: "Having seen similar schemes in operation across Europe and other parts of the world, I'm convinced this will be a positive move for the Bradford district.

"Extended Schools would be at the heart of their community, and offer an important learning and development opportunity for children, families and local people.

"Among the other benefits we expect to see would be better achievement and attendance by pupils, more people involved in adult education as well as improvements in health."