A NURSERY based at Minehead's West Somerset Community College is set to boost its numbers after winning the right to offer Government-funded places.

Acorns Nursery, which operates from the college's skills and enterprise centre, is now registered to accept 'early years grants', which are available to all three to five-year-olds and some two-year-olds.

The purpose-built nursery and creche is already Ofsted registered and plays a key role in supporting the training of college students studying level three childcare and education.

Its facilities include an integral sensory room, inside and outside play areas and a garden.

Somerset County Council foundation stage advisor Fiona Bland helped the nursery through the registration process.

And college principal Gaynor Coomber said she wanted to thank her.

"I am really pleased with the extension of nursery provision and extremely grateful to nursery colleagues for all their hard work and to Fiona Bland for her advice and support," she said.

The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday throughout the year.

Photo: Stuart Beecham