VOLUNTEERS and staff at South Cerney playgroup have been hard at work installing a new play room that has only been possible thanks to generous donations from local businesses.

The group were offered a former sales unit from a local developer which was delivered in February last year but the costs of preparing the site and transporting it cost more than £10,000.

That left the group with no funds to plumb the new building, connect to the electricity, decorate it and landscape the surrounding area.

However thanks to donations from businesses in the Cotswolds the group has held their own DIY SOS style makeover.

Suzi Hopkins, chair of the playgroup, said: “We have been so fortunate that we live in such a caring community.

“This extra building and space will allow us to offer parents extended childcare hours in-line with the governments new scheme to offer parents 30hours of free childcare.

“Coventry building society provided staff to paint the sales office, Gloucester Howdens have donated a kitchen for much need storage, Hills have provided the concrete and gravel to build the access ramp and Retrac productions built it.

“Gardiner Haskins donated paint, rollers and brushes, Design Flooring Cirencester donated the flooring and Travis Perkins in Cirencester donated plumbing materials.

“Everyone has been working so hard, I can’t believe what we’ve achieved”, said Suzi.

The group was also hugely thankful to the 18 strong team of staff from Bosch Rexroth from the village who worked tirelessly last Wednesday, spending the whole day completing all the jobs in time to get the playgroup ready to start up again after the Easter break.

The group has 52 children on its books at the moment and the space has been massively improved to give the children a wonderful place to be.

Julia Carter, South Cerney playgroup’s manager, said: “We’re very thrilled.

“It’s been one and a half to two years in the planning and it’s all finally coming to fruition."

Go to southcerneyplaygroup.com for more information about the group.