A PRESTON Candover pre-school celebrated a cash boost last week after receiving a grant from Hampshire County Council.

Candover Valley Pre-school, on the same site as Preston Candover Primary School, applied to Councillor Anna McNair Scott, the Hampshire County Councillor for Candovers, for a £1,000 grant to buy a new outside playhouse, in November last year. Each county councillor receives an annual budget of £8,000 for local projects, initiatives and groups.

Children, parents and staff celebrated last week after the playhouse was delivered, allowing the 36 two to five-year-olds on roll to play outside in all weathers.

Louise Niven, chair of the pre-school who has a three-year-old daughter that attends, told The Gazette: “We are extremely grateful and delighted to have received the grant and it makes a massive difference to the outdoor space. It is a vital facility for children as it allows them to play and they spend a lot of time outdoors so they really enjoy it. It encourages them to play creative games and engage with other children.”

She said the old playhouse was smaller and in a bad state, adding: “The children really enjoyed playing in it.

The new playhouse is much bigger and taller and people working at the pre-school can stand up inside it as well.

It is a major feature of the outside space. The parents and children are delighted and the children love it.”