A CHILDCARE business has created more than 20 jobs in its first year of operation.

Buttercup Nurseries, in Seaham, near Sunderland, was opened last August by two working mothers struggling to find childcare places in their area.

Clair Grimes, a 34-year-old financial advisor with Abbey National, and Andrea Fish, 41, a purchasing and technical executive for Sara Lee, spotted a niche in the market and decided to build a nursery.

Buttercup Nurseries received grants from the National Lottery and is part of the Government's Neighbourhood Nurseries initiative, a program providing high-quality nursery places in areas of deprivation to encourage parents back to work. They have also developed a working relationship with Seaham Sure Start and Durham's Early Years Development team.

Cheryl Thomas, the mother of 19-month-old Lewis, the first child registered with Buttercup Nurseries, will launch the company's anniversary celebrations on Saturday.