CHILDREN at a Nailsea pre-school are making the most of a new large sandpit which has been installed in the playground.

Greenslade Pre-school, in Pound Lane, which relies on money from fundraising events, has been saving for the new outdoor equipment for more than two years.

Their funds suffered a setback at the summer fair in July 2008 after thieves stole £50 raised from the bouncy castle, but an appeal in the Clevedon Mercury resulted in the money being replaced by Nailsea and Backwell Rotary Club, and a former pre-school pupil helping to design a cover for the pit.

Fundraiser Suzanne Houghton, who has three children, said: "The donations and help that we received were as a direct result of the appeal for donations in the paper, for which we were extremely grateful."

After numerous further fundraising events which included a fashion show in November 2009 which raised £633 the pre-school were able to purchase the sandpit.

A cover was then designed by Gareth Cridland, of Nailsea, which means that the pit can be used in all weathers.

Suzanne said: "It was very kind of him to do this. We also had help from Patrick Allen, a parent of one of the children here, who helped with the construction, and from Darren Cleeve, whom we would like to thank."