GAZETTE & HERALD: A CORSHAM nursery that was targeted by arsonists last summer is celebrating with new owners.

Kim Drew and Fiona Smith were in the process of buying the Honey Pot Pre-school, which is in the grounds of Corsham Regis Primary School, in Kings Avenue, in July 2004.

But arsonists set fire to the shed that housed all the nursery's toys and play equipment.

The blaze gutted the shelter and spread to the main building, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

After a string of improvements and change of name to ABC Nursery and Out of School Club, the joint owners are holding a launch party and fundraising event on Saturday June 11.

Mrs Drew, 37, said it has taken them a while to get to this stage but they are now ready to show off what they have achieved.

"We've made a lot of improvements," she said. "We have just had the fire-damaged garden re-landscaped and we hope to raise enough to be able to buy a playhouse for the children."

Parents are welcome to go along between 10am and midday to see their tot's work and how they have progressed since the pre-school re-opened in November.

And parents possibly thinking of starting their children at the nursery are invited to meet the ten members of staff and see what goes on there.

Between midday and 2pm fun activities have been organised, such as competitions, a bouncy castle, pin the tail on the donkey, sponsored wheel-a-thon, tabletop sales and stalls.

The pair hope to raise around £1,000 on the day and all the money collected will be split between the Gazette's Springboard Appeal and buying a Wendy house for the ABC nursery children.

Mrs Drew said they wanted to help Springboard because they understood the hardship it's going through.

Little Fabian Viles from Gastard divides his time between the special needs pre-school and ABC Nursery.

Fabian, who was born with cerebral palsy, will have his place cut by cash-strapped Springboard, the only special needs pre-school in North Wiltshire, if money is not found quickly.

Mrs Drew said: "We look forward to meeting lots of new faces and raising money for two good causes."