PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has praised a Nelson nursery school's success in becoming a government-designated children's centre.

Walton Lane Early Excellence Centre was one of just 29 in the country to get the status first, because of the quality of services it provides under one roof for young children and their families.

Hundreds of the centres will be created nationwide by 2006, but Walton Lane was chosen last month because it already offers a one-stop shop for childcare, education, health facilities and training.

It has partnerships with all the Sure Start programmes in the Pendle area and provides training for parents as well as education for children.

Mr Prentice said: "It's great news. I know that the head, Audrey Wilson, will be absolutely delighted, as I am.

"Audrey and her team have worked hard for this reorganisation, which will bring new resources into the area."

Work is about to begin on a £1.2 million rebuild at Walton Lane to provide a purpose-built centre so all the services can be accessed under one roof.

Chairman of the voluntary management committee Diane Heap, said: "We think standards like this are very important and we keep aiming higher. It's always a case of onwards and upwards.

"This is just the beginning."