FATHER Christmas's grotto may have been destroyed by fire - but a nursery's first-ever festive fayre will go ahead despite an arson attack.
Managers at Fairfield Day Nursery in Carnforth Drive, Warndon, were adamant 'the show must go on' despite an arson attack which gutted the summer house used as their grotto.
Hard work has meant that the Christmas Fayre has been saved for the 50 or so children who attend the nursery.
The arson attack has left children unable to play outside for nearly a month until the area is thoroughly cleaned up, including broken glass left when a window to the children's bathroom was destroyed in the inferno.
One of the managers, Chloe Morris, said: "A lot of our families don't have access to gardens.
"The children need that freedom and that fresh air."
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Father Christmas has resolved to come to the Christmas Fayre this Saturday - and will meet the children inside the nursery instead of the grotto.
Neighbours in Gamekeepers Drive and Ploughmans Close were evacuated from their homes on Saturday, October 28 as firefighters tackled the fire.
The attack is estimated to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
A GoFundMe page has been set up which has already raised £575 for new resources, toys and outbuildings for the children.
Although Santa has visited before this is the nursery's first Christmas Fayre - and is a personal fundraising drive.
The fayre set to raise money to tackle motor neurone disease after father-of-three Scott Morris, 43, brother of Michelle Morris, one of the nursery's managers, was diagnosed in June this year.
Chloe Morris one of the nursery managers, admitted staff had felt 'vulnerable and fearful it's going to happen again' after the attack.
She also said youths had also returned to the site four or five times since the attack and had also broken windows before the arson attack took place.
Mrs Morris, 34, said: "We were determined it was not going to be cancelled. It was not something we even considered. We just had to make adjustments to make it work."
Managers have praised West Mercia Police for putting on extra patrols and for agreeing to attend the fayre in support of children and families.
The Christmas Fayre will take place between 10am and noon.
Michelle Morris, 39, said: "We have been unable to use the outside space because of fire damage. It's still out of bounds. The children are spending all their time indoors. Hopefully, that will become available next week."
Cllr Jill Desayrah, who has made several visits to the nursery and residents since the attack, said: "It’s so sad that one of the traditional Christmas treats at the nursery has been disrupted by the recent arson attack.
"But the resilience of the staff in planning alternatives is fantastic. I wish them a hugely successful fair and hope normal service can be returned at Santa’s Grotto next year."
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