Excited children and staff at Wise Owls Pre-School in Lacock are eagerly awaiting the grand opening of their outdoor classroom, after a decade of hard work.

Staff at the playgroup are pleased to see the outdoor play area next to the village hall, where they are based, finally taking shape after years of trying to secure the National Trust-owned land to rent, as well as planning permission, which is restricted due to the village’s protected status.

Pre-school administrator Lucy Simms said: “We have been trying to rent land from the National Trust so that we can have this outdoor play area on a number of occasions but every time we have not been granted permission for various reasons.

“This is a huge moment for us because we are the only playgroup in the village and have been here since 1970 but never had an outdoor area for the children to play in.”

The modest play area will feature green all-weather surfacing and fencing once complete and is costing £5,000, which came from the pre-school’s own savings, helped by a £500 grant from Lacock Parish Council.

Work started last Monday on the fencing which is expected to be complete this week in preparation for the surfacing, which will go down next week ready for the grand opening on April 1.

For more information on the playgroup call Lucy Simms on (01249) 730743.