A MUM affected by the closure of St Mary's School has taken matters into her own hands to help other parents.

Samantha Ashfield's children Zara and James were at The Stables, the nursery linked with St Mary's, when both closed down earlier this year.

After the blow, Mrs Ashfield decided to be proactive and got her efforts to open the the nursery rolling.

Battenhall Nursery opened on Monday (October 27) and is based in Highfield in Battenhall Avenue, directly next door to the school.

Mrs Ashfield, who was involved in a parents group that tried to save St Mary's, said the closure was disappointing but she had tried to make the best of a bad situation.

She said: "Even though the attempt to save the school failed, I was determined to do something about the nursery.

"It's just a shame it went as far as it did, because I think the parents would have supported the school and done what was needed to help the school survive - if they'd known early enough.

"This is my way of trying to help and to give something back.

"It's been a long process - I can't quite believe how long it was at times.

"At the beginning it was quite tricky, but having three [staff members] who had worked in a nursery before really helped me out.

"They've been a huge help."

LouiseThomas, Gemma Hill and Jeni Chapman - who were all employed at The Stables - are working alongside Mrs Ashfield at Battenhall.

Mrs Ashfield left her job as a chartered accountant in May, because it "wasn't compatible" with having two young children

"I decided to take a break and collect my thoughts and then as it happened it just worked out," she said.

"So far we've got eight children signed up and we've got quite a few other parents who are interested and have had welcome packs and registration forms."