15060/3A £500,000 purpose-built nursery in Trowbridge opened for the first time. The 77-place Green Shoots Day Nursery, on the grounds of Studley Green Primary School, opened on Monday, less than eight months after work began.

The nursery has 35 children on its books, with seven more registering in the last few days.

Manager Ann Williams said the children were overawed by their new surroundings.

"Their faces were an absolute picture, they were all goggle-eyed looking at the new toys and equipment," she said.

"We still have a bit of bedding in to do as it's a completely new environment for everyone.

"It is more difficult for the parents than the children as they have never seen anything like this before.

"Hopefully this will lead to a lot of parents going back to work or college."

The five-day-a-week nursery caters for toddlers and pre-school children and includes a 12-place baby unit.

Nursery managers have to provide 80 per cent of places to children from areas of high deprivation, to help parents get back to part-time work or education, through offering lower childcare rates.

The nursery was funded by a £389,000 lottery grant and £100,000 from Wiltshire County Council.