YOUNGSTERS celebrated the opening of a New Forest nursery class after months of hard work to make it happen.

Hordle Primary School, in Hordle, set up the class after the closure of the nursery class at the nearby Pinewood Primary School.

With parents left wondering where to send their children for nursery education, the school in Hordle took action and set about opening the much-anticipated class ten months ago.

It was made possible thanks to new legislation that allows schools to expand their age range.

The sessions will be run by qualified teacher Natalie Riley.

Head teacher of Hordle Primary School, Fiona Adams, said: “This stage of children’s lives is so important because they need to start some good early habits that they can take with them.”

The class is also rare because it is run by a qualified teacher.

“We are keen to support them and care passionately about the value of their early years.”