ST Barnabas Pre-school in Market Lavington celebrated the completion of its new outdoor play area with an official opening by Devizes MP Claire Perry.

The pre-school received a grant of £5,000 from Wiltshire Council to transform a run-down and unused grass area at the side of their classroom into a garden. It has its own mud kitchen, large sandpit, raised flower beds and can be accessed in all weathers.

Linda Ashman, pre-school manager, said: “The garden area, and especially the mud kitchen, is brilliant for supporting the children’s development. We are so grateful to everyone for the donations of time and money as well as implements for the mud kitchen and especially Tony and his team at Superior Plants for giving us the beautiful spring flowers.”

The opening coincided with an annual Easter Egg hunt and colouring contest.

Mrs Perry agreed to paint a picture for the pre-school. Her predecessor Michael Ancram painted a picture when he visited and Mrs Perry’s picture of flowers will be displayed alongside his.