A NEW children's nursery is ready to open - six months after the owner won her struggle to secure planning permission.

A series of applications for nurseries in Sedgefield, County Durham, have been turned down over the last two years.

Concerns over potential parking problems have sealed the fate of most applications, despite an acknowledged need for pre-school places in the village.

But the Cherry Tree Nursery, in North End, was given the go-ahead by members of Sedgefield Borough Council, despite advice from officers to reject the proposal.

Councillors decided to grant it temporary permission for a year, after which a new application would have to be submitted.

It would be up to the nursery to prove that concerns over traffic congestion and road safety problems were unfounded.

The nursery, which will have spaces for 20 children, is holding an open day for parents on Saturday, June 4, from 10.30am to 2pm.

Owner Jane Thompson said yesterday: "The open day is for people to come and have a look round, see what they think of us and discuss with the staff what they want."

The nursery, which is named after a blossoming cherry tree at the front of the building, will officially open on Monday, June 4.