A mum is setting up her own pre-school at Witham Rugby Club to combat a shortfall of nursery places in the town.

Mum-of-two Claire Micallef, 34, of Glebe Crescent, Witham, received more than £100,000 in an Essex County Council grant earlier this year to set up a 28-place pre-school in the building in Spa Road.

Now builders are working to refurbish a hall in the building and build an extension include toilets and an entrance area so the nursery can open in January.

The grant will also fund an outside fenced-off play area.

Mrs Micallef, who gave up her job as a childminder to set up the nursery, has already had four families book in places for their children.

See this week's Witham Times for the full story.