THERE were tears of both joy and sadness as youngsters graduated from their preschool.

Nearly 30 four-year-olds from Regents Park Preschool dressed up in robes and mortar boards as they said goodbye to staff and prepared to start school.

The preschool also said goodbye to their building at Tanners Brook Primary School during the celebration.

From September they will be based at a new, bigger building with a larger outdoor area nearer the front of the school's grounds.

The new building will also allow the preschool to extend its hours and open for full days from 8.15am-3.45pm and double its numbers from 24 children a session to 48.

Lead practitioner Sarah Shipp said: "A few of the children have been here a couple of years so it was quite emotional. It was a nice celebration for the children and to say goodbye to the building."

It was the eighth year the school had said goodbye to the children with a university-style graduation.