DIMSON Day Nursery in East Cornwall is in the running for three national industry awards.

The nursery has been shortlisted for the Nursery of the Year award by 'Nursery World', for the Nursery Learning Environment Award 2008 by 'Nursery Management Today' and its founder, Patricia French, for the Nursery Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dimson Day Nursery, established in 1990, is housed in a purpose-built barn conversion on a ten-acre smallholding with gardens, woodland and access to animals.

The ethos of the nursery is to connect the children with nature and the natural environment, to develop confidence and self esteem.

The awards are due to be announced next month in London.