A FLOURISHING after-school club has been given a £38,000 boost from the National Lottery to pay for equipment for its new premises.

When Kinderbear Nursery opened in Thompson Street, Padiham, in 1995, for babies from birth to four years old, after school-club Padiwacks was also set up.

It accommodated between 20 to 30 children after school, but such was its popularity the nursery has now purchased a three-storey former warehouse on Wyre Street which is being converted to accommodate 85 youngsters aged four to 14.

Deputy manager Karen Butcher said: "The lottery money will buy equipment including computers, table tennis tables, dolls houses and play equipment."

The nursery will take on up to seven new staff.

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