A CASH-STRAPPED Blackpool nursery has finally been given its own home after 13 years of operating from a church hall, thanks to the Blackpool Challenge Partnership.

And if it all goes to plan, the new permanent home for the nursery - a £100,000 galvanised steel portable unit - will be in place in the grounds of the Blackpool Christian Centre, Waterloo Road, South Shore, in July.

Pastor's wife Dorothy Thompson thinks the gift from the Blackpool Challenge Partnership, a private company set up to bid for a grant of £19m from central government, is nothing short of a miracle.

She said: "We have been waiting for so many years but we have never had the money to do this. Now it has been provided for us and we are so thrilled we can't believe it." The new building means the group no longer has to take down heavy climbing equipment and pack toys away after each session. It will create three more jobs, two qualified staff and a caretaker.

The centre currently has places for 25 children in eight weekly sessions but now it plans to expand to between 35 and 40.

Other plans include a children's club every Friday, a Saturday drama workshop and a luncheon club.

Mrs Thompson is eager to hear from anyone with new ideas. "It is going to be here to serve the local community and fulfil their needs," she said, "We hope people will come and share their ideas with us.

"We feel we have been given this as a gift and we want everyone to share it with us."

Alan Cavill, Manager of Blackpool Challenge Partnership, said: 'We are delighted to have been able to assist with this project. Our aim is to make community life better and this new centre undoubtedly will."