A TAVISTOCK playgroup is planning a major renovation to its base in Courtlands Road, with a workforce of toddlers and parents.

Tavistock Under-Fives playgroup is planning a 'Challenge Anneka'-style weekend make-over in August to replace the deteriorating portable cabin classroom the children currently use.

The merry band of volunteers will be brandishing their brushes to renovate the 40ft portable cabin for August 17-18.

Organiser Jo Neill says the project is necessary because of the poor state of repair of the old temporary classroom cabin being used by the group.

'The work will involve re-rendering and painting the exterior of the cabin, repairing and repainting old woodwork, tidying and planting the play area and garden and generally giving the place a facelift,' she said.

The group also hopes to bring the children closer to nature with a complete renovation of the garden area around the cabin, possibly to include a small nature area for the youngsters.

An appeal has also been launched for kitchen units as many of the children enjoy cooking — fundraisers hope someone having a new kitchen fitted will donate their old one rather than throw it away.

The children have been fundraising all year with a Christmas raffle, a darts tournament and Easter Egg hunt.

The plan is to encourage parents and friends to do much of the renovation work themselves with the help of charitable donations of materials and manpower from local businesses and organisations, RM Builders and Paint+ have already offered to help.

Tavistock Round Table recently made a generous donation which has enabled the playgroup to repair the children's toilets.

The playgroup provides toddler and pre-school childcare, five days a week, for 24 children.

Anyone with anything to donate or who is interested in helping out on the day please contact Nicky on 01822 612422.