A BURY nursery has been given national recognition for its architectural design - one year after re-opening.

The Hoyle Early Years Centre, Chesham Fold Road, won the Small Building Project Award as part of the British Construction Industry Awards 2004.

It is the second award for the nursery which won the North West Royal Institute British Architects award as well as Early Excellence Centre status from the Government in 2002. The £700,000 building was formally opened by Childrens Minister, Margaret Hodge, last November and is the town's only council-run nursery.

Designed by architects DSDHA, three quarters of the nursery, which now cares for up to 80 children, was demolished and replaced by two wings divided by a glazed courtyard and library. During the summer, sliding doors to the courtyard are opened to emphasise the sense of space, while natural lighting and ventilation creates a calm environment.

Representatives from DSDHA attended the ceremony in London and will present headteacher Mrs Clare Barker with a certificate next week.

She said: "I thought we had a chance but there was some stiff competition so it is very nice to have won, but I am even more delighted to have the building itself."