The number of free pre-school places on offer in Tower Hamlets is set to increase by more than four times in the 14 months.

There are currently 500 places on offer for education places for two-year-olds – with that figure set to increase by 800 by September.

A further 1,400 places are scheduled to be on offer by September 2014.

The borough is benefitting from government plans to increase the number of two-year-olds eligible for free pre-school education to almost 40 per cent of the UK’s population of that age.

Cabinet member for children, schools and families, Cllr Oliur Rahman, said: “We will continue to invest in our children and young people to ensure that they have the very best start in life possible.”