PARENTS and teachers in Harvington are celebrating the opening of a nursery school.

The Herons, attached to Harvington First School, welcomed its first 26 pre-school children at the beginning of the autumn term.

The nursery is one of the few in the county which is local authority run and is free to parents whose children live in the school's catchment area.

First School headteacher Marcia Palmer said: "We are absolutely delighted with the nursery school which caters for children in Harvington, Norton and Lenchwick.

"It has a qualified teacher and opens five mornings a week."

Mrs Palmer said her thanks went to those who had "added the cream on the cake" by donating a playhouse and creating a garden.

She also said she would be happy to welcome anyone on nursery nurse courses to contact her for possible work experience.