A COMMUNITY nursery has celebrated its first anniversary.

The Neighbourhood Nursery, based at the Coleridge Centre, in Darlington's Skerne Park, looks after children aged up to five, and also offers childcare for five to 14-year-olds.

Ward councillors and the Labour MEP for the North-East, Stephen Hughes, attended the anniversary celebrations yesterday.

The nursery received almost £200,000 in investment from the European Regional Development Fund.

Mr Hughes said: "It was brilliant, an excellent facility.

"I've not had a chance to pop in there before.

"At European level, we have already got the overall plan, the grand design, but it's nice to see it being put into effect at local level.

"This is Europe putting its money where its mouth is."

Marjory Knowles, community economic development manager at Skerne Park Community Enterprise Association, said: "Neighbourhood nurseries were set up in areas of disadvantage, that a private provider might not go into. The idea behind them is to ensure there is effective children's care so parents can go to work."

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, who represents Park East on the borough council, said: "I am extremely proud of the facilities we have on offer at the Neighbourhood Nursery in the heart of my ward."