Former head's 30-year dream

Rosalind Gregory, former head of Whitegate Nursery school, in Victoria Road, Padiham, needs £1,000 and 100 people to sign up so she can set up a charity and open her Children's House in Milnshaw Park, Accrington.

She said the centre would give children the chance to play -- something she thinks is important to a child's development and is sadly lacking for many.

The centre will also give somewhere for parents and childminders to play with their charges and provide schoolchildren with somewhere to go after school.

She also wants to cater for pensioners playing bingo and hopes that the children will benefit from having older people around who can impart their wisdom and provide another source of discipline.

Mrs Gregory, 70, of Brown Birks Road, Huncoat, said she had had the plan at the back of her mind for years but had never brought it to fruition.

She said: "I've had this idea for 30 years, it has been in my mind all this time. I first saw something similar in Canada in the Political Paper Association's magazine and tried to get the plan up and running years back but it never really happened.

"I recently decided to push for it again and I've been told that by the council that they would fund me, but I first need to become a charity.

"For this I need 100 people to sign up and become play leaders and to raise £1,000.

"I think there is a real need for this because I don't believe there is anything like it in the country and it is very important to child development.

"It will have a sunken sandpit and paddling pool, a garden and provide activities such as playing with clay and painting."

Nigel Rix, director of Hyndburn First, said Surestart Hyndburn had similar schemes ready to be launched in the borough.

"If Mrs Gregory can meet one of the team, she will discover this work is very much alive and well in Hyndburn. She is very welcome to become involved."

Anyone wanting to join Mrs Gregory should call 01254 235116.