A LEADING Tory politician praised the work of a Kidderminster out-of-school club during a visit to the town.

Theresa May, the Shadow Minister for the Family and former chairman of the Conservative party, saw at first hand Franche First School's 7 2 6 club, which provides day care for children, whether or not they attend the school.

The facility was set up by the school's headteacher, Val Weddell-Hall, and is staffed by teachers, nursery nurses and other volunteers.

"This is a terrific facility," said the minister, "It is absolutely the type of thing I would like to see encouraged in communities across the country.

"I am immensely impressed by what I have seen and I have no doubt at all that Val Weddell-Hall is a truly special person to have achieved this."

Around 60 children were present to meet her. Up to 800 children can be cared for at some point throughout the school summer holiday period, although not all at the same time.

The ages of the youngsters range from newborn babies to two-year-old toddlers at 726 Tots and from two years to 14 in the main 7 2 6.

The club runs for 50 weeks in the year, from 7am until 6pm.