15244/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CHILDREN at Forest Nursery School in Pewsham are back in their old home this week ten months after it was destroyed by fire.

And the fire crew from Chippenham Fire Station who tackled the blaze in the early hours of March 23 last year attended another call out this week to officially open the re-built nursery.

The nursery's founder, Rosemary Ballard, said: "The fire was a devastating blow and I don't think any of us realised how long it would take for us to return home. But we are so relieved and excited to be back and the children are settling in superbly."

One reason for delays in rebuilding the nursery was difficulty in obtaining steel for the roof, caused by the booming Chinese economy cornering the global market for steel.

The fire was caused by an electrical fault and the firefighters managed to save the walls of the nursery and the adjacent Walters and McFadyen veterinary surgery, which has also been rebuilt. Builders were able to use the walls and the rebuilt nursery has also been extended to provide an upstairs kitchen, office and store room.

Throughout the re-building work, Forest Nursery remained open in temporary accommodation, first at King's Lodge School and then at Elim Church. "Without the tremendous help and support we have had, Forest Nursery would not have been able to continue. We are particularly grateful to Jane Ratcliff at King's Lodge School and the Rev Keith Wilson at Elim Church for providing us with accommodation," said Mrs Ballard.