13796/1GRATEFUL parents Mel and Ant Burston have raised nearly £1,000 as a thank-you present for St Mary's Pre-School in Malmesbury.

Mr and Mrs Burston's youngest son Callun, four, finished his pre-school education last month.

As a way of showing their gratitude for the quality of teaching, the Burstons organised a variety of fund-raising activities.

Barbecues, raffles, and a free disco at the Red Bull pub in Malmesbury were among the events.

Chair of the pre-school Gabrielle Peers-Dent said the cash raised would pay for furniture, a quiet room for the children and play equipment in the garden.

She said there would be enough left over to fund a planning application to build a fence around the school garden.

Mrs Peers-Dent said: "We are very blessed because we have a wonderful community who supports us.

"I want to thank everyone who has supported us and especially Mr and Mrs Burston. They have all been brilliant."

Like other pre-schools in the UK St Mary's Pre-School is OFSTED registered and subject to regular inspections.