AN innovative village club providing after-school care for children has been given a glowing report by government inspectors.

The Broad Hinton Beehive Club opened last May with the help of a £15,000 grant from the National Lottery New Opportunities fund and provides after-school care for 5-11 year-olds and play-schemes during the holidays.

Since then it has gone from strength to strength, growing in numbers from having 16 children on the books to 72.

To add to its good fortunes, it has also been given a £6,600 boost from the National Lottery.

The cash will enable the club to start a breakfast club between 8am and 9am for parents to drop their children off on the way to work.

The club celebrated its success yesterday by inviting members of Broad Hinton's pensioners' club the Happy Hours over to the village hall for tea, games and entertainment.

As well enjoying a few games of pool, snakes and ladders and chess, the OAPs were treated to a talent and dance show from the young Beehive members.

Doris Godwin, 74, said: "We are having a brilliant time, I think the children are doing very well. It's good to get the old and young ones together."

Sylvia Rawlins, 72, said: "I think it's good for the young ones and its nice of them to invite us over."

The Beehive Club members were bubbling with enthusiasm for the after-school care scheme.

William Miller, eight, said: "It's really good. I really enjoy all the stuff you can play with, it's just good fun."

His pool partner, Andrew Edwards, said: "I like it because there are lots of activities. I've been coming here for about a year and it's not boring. I especially enjoy pool and chess."

Five-year-old Thomas Fieldsend said he enjoyed playing football. He said: "I'm really excited because I'm doing Will Young in the talent show tonight singing my favourite song, Evergreen."

The Beehive Club passed all 14 criteria in its Ofsted inspection and was said to achieve a very high standard of care.

Helen Miller, the club's co-owner and play-leader, said: "The club was granted a Quality Assurance Award, Level One, Aiming High.

It was a brilliant achievement as we are operating during our first year and it confirms the high standard of care that children receive at the club."

To find out more about Broad Hinton Beehive Club call Swindon 731792.