Youngsters at Sheringham nursery Ladybird had an early Easter surprise this week, when nine fluffy yellow chicks hatched from a clutch of a dozen eggs they were caring for as part of an educational programme aimed at teaching children about rearing animals.

The 12 ready-to-hatch eggs, which were delivered a week ago by UK-wide company Living Eggs, came complete with incubator, information booklets, posters and books.

'It has been really exciting for the children to come in each day to see whether the eggs have hatched, and it is a lovely experience for them to see the chicks growing,' nursery supervisor Deborah Sanders said.

As well as having chance to handle the chicks, Ladybird pupils have taken part in a range of chicken-themed activities, including drawing pictures and singing songs.

The chicks will stay at the Cromer Road nursery until the Easter holidays, when they will offered to parents for adoption.

'Having the chicks has been a real success,' Mrs Sanders said. 'It has made the children think about where eggs come from, and, because we had been talking about being kind to each other, we have been able to bring that into the experience as well.'

The Constantia Restaurant, at East Runton, is hosting Greek night with a three-course meal and a raffle on May 23 in aid of Ladybird Pre-school Nursery. Tickets, priced £27 (with £5 going to Ladybird), are available by phoning the restaurant on 01263 512017.