UP to 35 jobs are set to be created as a specialist in day nurseries for children gears up to open its fourth premises in south Hampshire this spring.

Hopscotch is transforming a Royal British Legion building in Lee-onthe- Solent so that it can provide up to 83 places for youngsters.

It’s the group’s latest step on the road to realising its founders’ vision of a ten-strong nursery group straddling the region.

Hopscotch, which operates three day nurseries in Mumby Road, Gosport, Little Abshot Road, Titchfield Common and Church Lane in Curdridge, near Southampton, currently employs 85 people and has a turnover of £1.5m.

Martin Truscott, Hopscotch’s commercial director, said: “We anticipate creating a further 35 jobs with our fourth nursery, which is on schedule to open on May 3.

“More than £480,000 is being invested in transforming the property, with part of the costs being met by Hampshire County Council.

“The extensive refurbishment includes completely stripping the building back to a shell, replacing the asbestos roof, electrical wiring and plumbing throughout the building and creating a stimulating outdoor play area with landscaping.

“The Legion ends up with a building that has been completely overhauled without any cost to them, while we rent a property that has been designed by us.”