BRATTON Clovelly Under 5s Pre-school was presented with a cheque from Okehampton Rotary Club recently, to help create a new outdoor play area.

The £200 cheque will also help the group purchase materials that will encourage the children to explore the environment, such as magnifying glasses and bug identification kits.

Treasurer for Bratton Clovelly Under 5s Pre-School, Nick Mackman said: 'Our pre-school is growing in numbers as more families move into the area — we now have 26 registered with us. The pressure for space is one we need to address.

'Ofsted encourage all nursery facilities to have full access to the outdoors and recommend at least half the session is spent outside.

'Bratton Clovelly Under 5s have spent this year raising funds to create an outdoor play area and we will now be able to buy large linking lego bricks for building, balance and creating patterns.

'We can also create mini gardens with planters to grow vegetables and seasonal plants.'