After a decade of hard work and knock backs Wendron Pre-school has officially opened its new building - and is now appealing for the community's help in raising money for the outdoor area through the Tesco blue disc scheme.

The pre-school has been open at its new home in the grounds of Wendron Primary School since the beginning of September, but Friday was a chance to thank everyone who has supported the project over the last ten years.

In January the future of the pre-school, which is overseen by a committee of volunteers, was saved at the eleventh hour when it won £76,126 of funding - 80 per cent of the total £95,000 project cost.

Pre-school chair Liz Gilbert thanked everyone who had helped in any way over the years, saying: "We have had so much support over the last decade to get us where we are today.

"A large proportion of our funding came from Europe through the West Cornwall Local Action Group. However, the contributions from local charities, businesses and individuals made it possible for us to match fund the European grant and we wouldn't be here today without that local support, so thank you to everyone who has helped us, however small or large."

She went on to recognise "five very special individuals without who this project would not have happened."

These were Dave Ellis, site manager for the Southerly Point Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust, who guided the committee through managing a captial builds project, and her fellow committee members Clare, Katy, Katie and Jenny.

"Two years ago we were a bunch of mums who faced the very real prospect of closing Wendron Pre-school and making our staff redundant.

"Today, after a lot of hard work, some laughter, some tears, sleepless nights and many more grey hairs between us, we are now not only trustees of the pre-school but firm friends," she added.

The committee is now working to improve the outdoor area at the new pre-school, where it wants to create a fun and interactive play area, where children can explore and learn, bringing them closer to nature.

They hope to include a living willow wigwam, sand and water play, balancing logs, a mud kitchen, sensory planting and raised beds for the children to grow fruit and vegetables, as well as wildlife friendly features such as bird and bat boxes and a bug hotel.

To help raise funds the pre-school has been accepted into the Tesco blue disc scheme in the Helston store as well as Tesco Express and Metro in Falmouth, until December 31.

The pre-school is now holding an open morning on Saturday, November 17 between 10am and 12 noon for anyone interested in seeing the new building or signing their child up to join, with some places still available.