STAFF and youngsters at nurseries are celebrating after being named in a competition to find the ten most recommended nurseries in the North East.

There are five nurseries in the top ten of the North-East section of the daynurseries.co.uk Nursery Awards.

Parents were invited to nominate nurseries by commenting on a number of issues about the facilities.

The Kid’s 1st group has three entries with its nursery at Wynyard Park, County Durham, at number five, Bowesfield, on Teesside, at number eight, and Darlington at number nine.

Allison Winship, head of Childcare at Kids 1st, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to see our nurseries in the top ten.

“We strive to provide the highest quality of childcare and these reviews mean so much to us as they have come from the families of our children.”

The Shotley Bridge Nursery School, Shotley Bridge, County Durham, is at number six.

Director Laura Bowery said: “We are very pleased and proud that we are in it. It’s down to a lot of support from parents who we do have a good relationship with.”

The Child’s Play Private Nursery, based in Ferryhill Hub, has been listed for the second year running at number ten.

The Lambton Road nursery, caters for 70 youngsters, celebrated its second birthday in January and it.

Laura Leigh Wayman, 26, nursery manager, said: “It is amazing that we have received this award for the second year in a row, what an amazing honour."