CHILDREN, parents and staff have celebrated the opening of a new Hampshire pre-school.

After work began this summer, the new building for Knightwood pre-school has been officially opened by civic bosses and a county MP.

The new educational facility comes as Test Valley Borough Council aim to improve sporting and leisure facilities across the borough and offered to relocate the pre-school to its new home in Chandler's Ford.

The building includes a play area, quiet area, holiday club room, staff office and kitchen, and will serve thousands of children across the area.

The plans had been supported by Hampshire County Council and Valley Park Parish Council, as well as local parents, with the building jointly owned by Catherine Botto and Carly Dorney.

A joint statement from the pair said: "We would like to thank the Test Valley Borough Council team, Hampshire County Council and all the others who have worked very hard in the background to keep our fantastic early years and after school and holiday club provision alive."

The purpose-built building is replacing the formerly used studio at the centre and currently sits in Skys Wood Road.

It was opened on Saturday (November 25) by council members and MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, cllr Roy Perry said: "I was delighted to see the children and staff enjoy their new building, which provides a much-improved facility and increased number of pre-school places for local families.

"As a county council, we were happy to support TVBC in providing a bespoke building."

Test Valley Borough councillor Tony Ward said: "We were able to provide the relocation of what was a temporary facility to its own purpose built nursery.

"It offers a huge improvement in facilities for the children and peace of mind for parents in need of childcare.

"In addition, it means increased capacity at the Knightwood leisure centre where a new state-of-the-art 25 station gym will shortly be opening, offering a more varied programme to encourage activity for local residents.

"This is a win-win situation for all concerned."

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