It was a day that the staff and committee of Wendron Pre-school feared might never come, but on Friday a ten-year dream was realised when they got the first look at their brand new building.

After winning more than £76,000 worth of funding at the start of the year, a new building is now in place in the grounds of Wendron Primary School, ready to open to pupils in September.

Staff and existing pupils are relocating from their former home at Trewennack Chapel and work will now continue over the rest of the summer to transform the outdoor area, ready for the start of the new pre-school term on Monday, September 10.

Liz Gilbert, chair of the voluntary charity committee that runs the pre-school, said: “We’re so excited that it’s finally here after all this time. Thank you to all the supporters who have fundraised through the years.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our pupils in September.”

She added that landscaping work would take place over the next five weeks to create an outdoor space for pupils to play in, saying: “We’d like the children to be able to get outside more, as we have got a beautiful, rural setting with lots of trees and green space.”

After a decade of struggling to finance the relocation, in January the West Cornwall Local Action Group, providing European funding through the Rural Development Programme for England, stepped in to provide 80 per cent of the total project cost, with a grant of just over £76,126 through its LEADER programme – making the £95,000 new build a reality.

A further £20,000 was giving in fundraising, including from the Downsland Trust, Helston and Lizard Rotary Club and Inner Wheel.

It means that not only will the children be getting a new building but even more opportunities for learning, as for the first time the pre-school will be able to offer three afternoon sessions as well as five morning sessions Monday to Friday.

Places are still available for up to 40 children aged two and a half upwards - 20 per morning and afternoon session - including through the government funding scheme.