Compton and Shawford pre-school group has put a £500 grant to excellent use.

The money came from the Ronald McDonald Children's Charity to provide equipment to help children with special educational needs. It will assist in their development and encourage more co-operative play.

"We purchased an activity cube, which is a wooden, car-like box," said Sara Sullivan, the treasurer of the group.

"This is essentially a sharing toy and a huge hit with the children. It really fuels their imaginations as they pretend to be driving off to Marwell or escaping from dragons!"

The group was also able to purchase some new beams to aid co-ordination and balance and to buy books on everyday topics such as going to the doctor or dentist.

"We were really pleased to receive the grant," said Sara.

"The application form was simple and did not involve reams of paperwork or accounts, which was important to us as the committee which runs the group is entirely made up of volunteers who all have busy lives outside of pre-school."