Stratton Playgroup has been awarded an Early Years Capital Grant of £136,000 from Family Services which will pay for a badly needed new building.

After more than five years of campaigning and fundraising, Stratton Playgroup has finally managed to secure a grant that will cover the cost of a new building. The building will have many of the facilities the current building is ­lacking.

The existing pre-fabricated building was put up in the 1960s and was intended to serve as a classroom for no more than twenty years. The condition of the building has deteriorated rapidly over the past ten years and the committee and staff have found it increasingly difficult to keep up with repairs.

The new building will be a fantastic opportunity for the staff, children and ­families of Stratton; the community will benefit from this wonderful facility for years to come.

The building project is set to begin in July and be completed for the Autumn term.

The playgroup was also recently awarded a £500 grant for new furniture from the Co-operative Community Fund.

The money has been used to purchase new chairs from local company 'Miller Upholstery' who, as well as doing upholstery, design and manufacture quality children's furniture.

Stratton Playgroup wished to thank the Co-Operative Group for their generous donation.