Children at a Thetford nursery will be enjoying outdoor playtime in a brand new outdoor oasis.

Two to five-year-olds at Tree Top Nursery, in Kingsway, have seen the muddy patch of wasteland to the rear of the nursery transformed into a new-look natural play area.

After three weeks of levelling the ground, laying decking, artifical grass and bark, the £10,000 area was opened on Friday with the help of a very special guest - Father Christmas.

Rachel Sandells, nursery manager, said: 'We have been planning the garden for some time, so were delighted when the work was finished and really excited to unveil it to the children and their families. We are very grateful for the funding we received to make it a reality and our thanks go to everyone who has supported the project.'

The garden was jointly funded by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) and Norfolk County Council.

Local company, Roots and Routes, who carried out the work, also donated a sandpit.