survival.

Parents and East End residents have worked hard to establish the Giving Tree nursery in St. George's, following the closure of the previous operators Kids' Venture.

But now they need to boost numbers in order to keep the school going and to fulfill an agreement with the trustees of the Church Folly Lane building.

Already they have ten full-time children and a number of part-timers, but it is hoped to increase the full-time number to 18 kids aged between two and five years.

Two teachers have been contracted and in December they will open the doors to a handful of children under two years old.

Organiser Stacy VanPutten said the team were determined to make the nursery work and were hopeful they would be able to attract the extra numbers required.

"I am confident that we will make it,'' she said. "We are not going to give up now, we have come way too far.'' She said getting the nursery off the ground had been a massive effort and commended the community for its assistance.

Businesses and individuals had donated goods and funds, and other events had also contributed to the success.

As well as the ten full-time children, there is a number of after-school charges and the recent holiday saw a batch of children at the Giving Tree.

The parents and residents took over the school, after the previous owners said the nursery was to close at the end of October. The new regime took over at the beginning of November.