THE Stepping Stones Nursery, Hoddlesden Road, Hoddlesden, has applied for permission to increase the number of children who can attend from 20 to 26.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning and highways committee originally approved the application for a nursery housing 20 children in 1999.

Residents living nearby had objected to the increase, stating that the children made a lot of noise during break times, and also claiming extra children meant more traffic in the area.

However, councillors approved the request subject to several conditions, including that only 14 children should be allowed to play outside at any one time.

All outdoor equipment should also be restricted to ground level only, meaning no climbing frames can be built.