A DARLINGTON nursery took part in its final fundraising event yesterday - when the weather permitted.

Eastbourne Nursery School, which will close in August, had planned two toddles to raise money for Barnardo's.

Rain meant the morning toddle had to be cancelled and the afternoon walk was cut short.

Headteacher Lesley Beavis said: "We have been doing these toddles for about six years now and we usually raise about £1,000 each time, but this one was special.

"The school has been open since 1946, so it marks an end of an era. Forty two pupils took part and everyone was invited, parents, grandparents and dogs."

Councillors were yesterday due to consider an application to turn the nursery, in Belgrave Street, into an education resource centre but the item was withdrawn from the planning committee agenda.

Youngsters from the nursery will attend a new unit at Dodmire Infant School in the autumn.