A fundraising drive for a £20,000 pre-school building next to the village primary school has been launched in Welland.

Plans for the building have been submitted and more than £1,500 was raised towards the project at an auction at The Pheasant pub.

The pre-school, run by a committee of parents, is currently located at the primary school, where space is limited.

Welland Parish Council has agreed the committee can rent land at a reduced rate for the new single-storey building. This will include a large classroom, office, cloakroom area and full disabled access.

Committee chairman Sarah Husband said: "We're running out of space. We really can't expand any more at the moment."

If the district council approves the plan, the popular pre-school could expand to provide care for 24 children aged two years nine months to five years. It now has 16.

Currently only open in the morning, it would also hold afternoon sessions and run breakfast, lunch and after-school clubs.

The plan include a small outside space for play equipment, but the children will still be able to use the primary school playground and the playing field behind it.

After an initial bid failed, the pre-school made a second application for Lottery funding. Meanwhile, the local community is backing the plans.

At Friday's auction, local businesses and residents donated prizes. These were sold by Sophie Hutton of Philip Serrell auctioneers in Malvern.

The Pheasant made the highest bid for a live performance by Worcester band Munch, who will play a gig in the pub. Profits from ticket sales will go to the pre-school.

Fundraising car boot sales are also planned.