A Wiltshire pre-school children's nursery has had a new heating and hot water system installed after the old boiler system broke down.

Step Up Pre-School in Dilton Marsh was given £1,000 from Selwood Housing's Stronger Communities Fund to install new equipment donated by Bradford Building Supplies.

The school's boiler system had not been working during the spring term time, leaving them with no heating or hot water.

Over the warmer summer months the heating wasn’t required, but hot water was needed for handwashing/hygiene.

Due to Covid-19, the school was unable to run its usual fundraising events and, as a privately-owned business, rarely qualifies for any grants.

At a time when many local families were under a financial strain, the pre-school felt it wasn’t appropriate to ask the parents and wider community for financial help.

Rachael Dean, from Step-Up Pre-school, said: “We are immensely grateful and overwhelmed with our new heating and hot water system supplied by the Stronger Communities Fund grant scheme. We are a privately owned business so very rarely qualify for any grants.

“It has allowed us to make better use of the space in our classrooms and will also save us money on our energy bills in the long run.

"Thank you from all at Step-Up to Selwood Housing and Bradford Building Supplies.”

Selwood Housing offers community-focused organisations the opportunity for grant investment of up to £5,000 through its Stronger Communities Fund.

This initiative is made possible by financial contributions from suppliers, who provide a range of services and products.

The labour for the project was provided by Selwood Housing, and materials were donated by Bradford Building Supplies.

Alex Howarth, from Bradford Building Supplies, said: “We, at Bradfords, have built a strong relationship with Selwood Housing.

"It has been a pleasure working with all those involved in this project. The community sits at the heart of what Bradfords stands for so it was great to have the opportunity to support such a good cause.”