A NEWLY expanded nursery has opened in Barnard Castle.

The extra facilities at Green Lane Nursery and Childcare Centre have been welcomed by parents.

The need for expansion became apparent soon after the launch of the popular nursery in September 2001.

From a small annex at Barnard Castle CE Primary School, plans for a modular building in the school's playground were discussed.

Nursery directors applied to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a Rural Enterprise Scheme grant. The bid was successful and the project was awarded £37,000, half the cost.

Alison Mounter, administration manager at the nursery, said: "I was on holiday in my caravan when the call came through to me to tell me we had been successful and had been awarded half the project costs.

"What the other caravanners around must have thought to see this mad woman jumping around is anyone's guess.

"Our match-funding came from various other sources, including the Early Years Partnership, Teesdale Enterprise Fund, savings and a bank loan."

Rural development advisor Kenneth Haynes said: "It's a wonderful example of how money from the England Rural Development Programme can be used to support a social and community project."

An open day will be held at the nursery, in Barnard Castle CE Primary School, on Saturday, from 11am.

For details about the Rural Enterprise Scheme contact 0191-214 1800.