CHILDREN at Qwackers pre-school in Alford have taken delivery of a new set of play equipment thanks to generous donations by parents and friends.

A sponsored slide and bounce was held in the summer term and the funds have enabled the group to buy two ride-on tractors, a pirate ship and a variety of books and smaller toys.

This follows the redecoration of the building during the summer and a recent Ofsted report which gave the group a Good rating.

The report by inspector Sharon Waterfall highlighted the successful relations that the group has with parents, agencies and other child care facilities including the local children's centre and primary school.

It also praises the groups resources such as a large walk-in sandpit where children can find buried treasure using a metal detector.

In her report Mrs Waterfall said: "The sand-pit is an excellent resource and used by the children in many ways such as working together to fill a wheel barrow with sand using spades or as the children describe it Bob the buildering."

She added: "The outdoor area is used extremely well to provide the children with an alternative area for play. They can develop their imaginations as they look out to sea from the top of the climbing frame, role play in the garage area and sail away in the pirate ship the children made themselves."

Qwackers manager Frances Johnson said: "We want to say thank you to the parents for supporting their children. We feel its only appropriate that the money they have helped to raise goes to buy toys.

"We pride ourselves on being a community play-school which has a high ratio of adults to children so we can give them individual care and attention and this is reflected in the Good Ofsted rating we have been given."

Qwackers also runs a parent and toddler group every Friday afternoon between 1 and 3pm.

There are a few places available at the pre-school. For information call 01507 463969.