A grant which aims to help Wales' poorest pupils to achieve their potential is set to increase, education secretary Kirsty Williams has announced.

Speaking to the Welsh Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Cardiff, Ms Williams said that the Early Years Pupil Development Grant (PDG) will increase from £600 to £700 per eligible pupil.

She claims the extra cash could directly benefit 15,000 children who are in the foundation phase.

"As Cabinet Secretary for Education, I was delighted to announce on Saturday that the Early Years Grant will rise by nearly 17%, from £600 per child to £700," she said.

"This will benefit some 15,000 of our youngest children across Wales who are entitled to free school meals or who are looked after.

"The Pupil Development Grant is one of the great achievements of the Welsh Liberal Democrats at the National Assembly.

"Closing the attainment gap is central to the aim of improving standards, and addressing disadvantage as early as we can in a child's educational journey is crucial. This year will see the level of investment rise to £93 million."

The PDG was established in 2012 as part of a budget deal with the Welsh Government and the Liberal Democrats in the last assembly term to provide additional funding to schools based on the number of pupils eligible for free school meals and the number of children who are looked after.

The grant is paid to schools for each eligible learner aged 5 to 15 and to regional consortia for looked after children aged 4 to 15.