AFTER a decade of fundraising a Purbeck Pre-School is just £40,000 away from a new dream home.

Children at Corfe Castle Pre-school have already put reaching the £180,000 fundraising target at the top of next year's Christmas list.

The money will provide them with a permanent new home to replace their worn and leaking temporary buildings.

So far community events, donations and grants have helped raise an impressive £140,000 towards the project.

Planning permission is already in place for the site, adjacent to the first school on East Street, and an order on the new building is about to be made, but there are still thousands to find to complete the project.

Lisa Pierce, chairman of the New Building Appeal, said: "It has taken 10 years to raise this much money and we really need to be out of our current building before next winter.

The roof has started to leak again and there is a limit to how many times it can be repaired. We really hope to reach our target by Christmas."

She added: "Our current building is made from sealed-together portable cabins but our temporary planning permission is unlikely to be renewed again."

As the pre-school is a volunteer run, non-profit making charity it is reliant on fund raising for capital projects, so staff and parents are calling on local business and groups to get behind them.

Extra cash was also needed to fund an architect-designed building which will meet the strict planning policies of the conservation area.

An innovative design was chosen which will be made of sustainable and locally-sourced materials including straw bales and sheep's wool insulation and clad in timber.

The aim is to open it up to the whole community, using it for adult education and parenting classes, and to provide before and after school clubs in association with the first school.

Anyone who can support the Pre-school's New Building Appeal, including joining the demolition or landscaping teams or providing professional advice, should contact Lisa Pierce on 01929 480286 or via email lisapierce@hotmail.com.

For more information about the project visit corfecastlepreschool.org.uk