A DASH of sparkle has been added to a children's Christmas party, thanks to an unexpected gift.

Children at St Clement's Play group, Worcester are looking forward to their Christmas festivities, which have been given a boost with £100 from the Making a Difference campaign.

The campaign, run by the Evening News and Worcester Round Table, has £1,000 to give away each month to community clubs, groups and societies.

St Clement's playgroup is a non-profit organisation, set up in September with the help of a Sure Start grant.

Playgroup assistant Karen Moseley said the grant had covered the setting-up costs and was subsidising salaries until places were filled with fee-paying children.

Until then, money will be tight and at one point she feared there could be no party for the 20 youngsters in her care, who are aged two to four years old.

The £100 will pay for a slap-up meal of chicken nuggets and chips, followed by cake, and presents for each of the children from Father Christmas.

They will also be able to afford a bouncy castle for the children thanks to the windfall.

"We were extremely pleased when we found out we'd been awarded the £100," said Mrs Moseley.

"We don't even have any of our own equipment yet - we're using St Clement's school's nursery equipment at the moment - so we certainly would not have been able to afford a party like this. The cash has really saved the day!"

The playgroup is based in St Clement's CE Primary School, Henwick Road, but is run independently from the school. For more information phone 07739 945354.