AROUND £20,000 worth of investment has been rubber-stamped to revamp a North-East nursery.

More than 70 children attending the Maidendale Nursery, operated by the Firthmoor and District Community Association (FDCA), are set to benefit from the financial boost as well as four new recruits due to join the site.

The nursery, off Burnside Road, Darlington, will upgrade an outdoor space for youngsters as well as installing new flooring and specialist equipment for nursery-goers.

FDCA board chairman and Darlington Borough Council’s Councillor Kevin Nicholson, said: “We anticipate an increased need to support families in the area with childcare needs – this investment underpins our ambition in becoming an outstanding setting.”

The FDCA’s board of trustees approved the investment earlier this month and expect that improvements to the site will be completed by the end of October.

Rachel Lowes, Maidendale Nursery’s manager, said: “We’re all very excited about the improvements to our nursery.

“We want the children who access our services to get the best possible start in life and we’re all so excited about our revamp.”

The site will remain open while the improvements are carried out at the Firthmoor Community Centre in-house nursery.