Party for children whose pre-school was gutted by fire

6.18.50pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Jul 2009

Chelmer Village children from the You & Me pre-school today attended a party won as a prize by one of their friends. Chelmsford Lib Dem candidate Stephen Robinson popped in to see them enjoying the party, provided by toy manufacturer Fisher Price.

The pre-school building was gutted by fire in April (See newspaper story: http://is.gd/1GAiv). Pre-school manager Clare Duncombe told Stephen Robinson that they have been in a temporary space at Barnes Farm school since then and hoped to return to their usual location in the autumn.

The party and bumper package of Little People toys were provided as part of a national competition and helped make up for losing the majority of their toys and games in the blaze.

Commented Stephen Robinson: "It was great to see all the happy faces at the party and I was delighted to hear about the success of the pre-school. We need the widest possible range of good-quality pre-schools, which would be guaranteed under Lib Dem policy on early years provision." (see: http://is.gd/1GATV)