THERE has been cause for a double celebration for the staff and children at the Gateway Nursery marking its tenth birthday with the arrival of an £8,500 cheque.

And the donation from the Lloyds TSB Foundation was the perfect present, allowing them to offer the youngsters facilities for an even better start in their education.

The funding was in recognition of the important part that the nursery, which is part of the Gateway Education and Childcare Trust, plays in the parishes of Lugwardine and Bartestree.

Soft play equipment, high-chairs, stage blocks, a computer and a digital camera will be bought providing a more exciting environment in which the children can learn and play.

Lloyds TSB banking manager at Abergavenny, Tony Larkin, said: "Gateway adds so much to the quality of life of people in the community.

"Not only does it provide educational opportunities for people in a rural and isolated area, but it also gives family members - young and old - the chance to spend their leisure time doing fun things together."

Gateway Nursery provides pre-school curriculum-based education and runs an after-school care facility collecting children from local schools.

Gateway's Joyce Elliott said: "We have great plans to improve our service and are so grateful to the Lloyds TSB Foundation for making the first improvements possible.

"We are looking into setting up workshops for local people so they can explore new hobbies and learn new skills. By tapping the knowledge of people in the community we can give children and adults the chance to enjoy painting, pottery-making and learning foreign languages."