DELIGHTED parents in Christchurch are claiming people power victory after hearing that their campaign to save a popular Somerford nursery from closure has been successful.

Mums and dads have learned Little Explorers at the Draper Road community school campus has been saved, thanks to a new business plan drawn up by the county and governors inspired by a government initiative launched this week.

As reported in the Echo, the Suretstart nursery faced closure in July after a change in the way it was funded by the government left it £20,000 in the red this year alone.

When parents heard they vowed to fight, attending public meetings where they rallied support, and lobbied the county council and presented a petition.

But Parent Sally Mackness, one of the lead campaigners, said: "We are all so relieved - absolutely!

"It's fabulous news for all of us, not least because of the parents pulling together and getting their voices heard."

County head of pupil and school improvement Harry Turner said: "This is excellent news for the community.

"I would like to thank all the county council and Somerford staff who have worked so effectively to come up with this solution."

Little Explorers' new business plan now includes a range of education and childcare provision for under-fives within the umbrella of a new government initiative which brings with it new funding.

Called Early Years Foundation Stage, they are essentially a slightly different way of combining reception and nursery children to create their own little school within a school, governing both the youngsters' care and education.

"It will affect everyone involved in early years provision - childminders, nurseries, children's centres and schools - and one of its important elements will be to create a better qualified workforce," said a council spokeswoman.

"It will also make more money available for under-fives provision, through a two-year, £250 million transformation fund."