CHILDREN and staff tucked into cake in a celebration of Dimson Day Nursery's 20th birthday recently.

The nursery in Gunnislake was decorated with balloons and banners to celebrate its 20 years of existence and the children were told stories of how the nursery started.

Patricia French and her husband Alan started the group with just three children in the downstairs of their family farm house, with the couple and their two children having to live upstairs. With numbers quickly growing, a barn was converted with an acre of woodland specially for the nursery, to enable environmental play and learning facilities.

Mrs French said: 'The last 20 years has flown past. We had balloons and cake to celebrate on the day, but we're planning to throw a big celebration in the summer when the weathers a bit better.'

Mrs French said the nursery was unique and different as it focussed on outside learning and environmental play.

It has a small holding with animals, a pond, a large grassy play area and an orchard.

She said: 'When we started we knew children needed to be outside. We're always changing and looking to add more ground and improve what we do. We're extremely busy, our nursery unit has a waiting list, and we're now even getting previous children's children.'

Mrs French's daughter Aelene has now joined the team of staff at the nursery.

'It's nice to keep it in the family. It gives me hope that when I retire it will be in good hands.' said Mrs French.

The nursery is hoping to receive a grant, which will enable them to build a path from the nursery to their forest. Mrs French said: 'It will be super if we can get the grant. It will mean wheelchair users and the one and two year olds will be able to access the forest because at the moment we have to walk across two fields.'

For more information about the nursery visit the website at http://www.dimsondaynursery.co.uk">www.dimsondaynursery.co.uk