One of the county’s oldest playgroups is to hold a tea party to celebrate 40 years since it first opened in All Cannings Village Hall.

All Cannings Pre-School wants as many families as possible who have been associated with it over the years to join in the fun from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday.

The party will include games, face painting and a raffle to raise money to buy new equipment for the group, which first opened its doors in January, 1974.

The pre-school opened as the village playgroup with a £10 grant from the parish council under the leadership of chairman Sue Webb and supervisor Judith Gay.

Current play leader Jo Warman said: “In the early days all equipment was stored outside in the brick shed, which has become our outdoor play area. Our wooden climbing frame dates back to the start of the playgroup and is still in full working order and used by our children on a regular basis.”

The pre-school is open five days a week including all day on Mondays. It has 17 children aged from two to four.

Mrs Warman said: “We attend the Primary Schools Church services, the children enjoy a walk through the village to get to church.

“We have a lovely outdoor play area, which includes a garden we like to go in and play games or go on a nature hunt.

“The children also enjoy visiting the village shop with their keyworker and collect things to take back to pre-school to cook something delicious and take it home to their families.”

The village also runs a Babble and Chat Playgroup on Tuesdays from 1.45pm to 3.15pm during term time for parents to attend with their children.