FULL-time mum Marion Hogg decided her cash strapped community in Little Hulton needed a nursery - so she bought one!

She teamed up with her friend Mary Ryan and they set out to raise more than £95,000 to buy and rebuild a derelict Victorian building on Cleggs Lane.

Tomorrow, after two years fund-raising, chartered accountants from Manchester firm Ernst & Young plus friends in the legal and accountancy professions, will mount a Challenge Anneka- style operation to create a play area.

The nursery opens in September to provide low cost nursery care and training for the children of single parents.

It is the first project of its kind that mother of two Marion, of Newearth Road, Walkden has co-ordinated alongside welfare worker Mary Ryan, of Blackleach Drive, Walkden.

Marion explained: "We want to encourage lone parents to go back to work by offering cheaper child care.

"We will also offer training for nursery nurses, creating jobs in the area.

"The building is a prime site for a nursery surrounded by four council estates and much unemployment.

"We started doing research and got all our facts and figures together and scouted around for funds. Then we put our tender to the council and they accepted."

The pioneering project, which has recently won awards from the Community Enterprise Awards scheme, has received backing from English Partnerships and the European Regional Development Fund.

Landscape gardening students from Manchester University have designed the play space which includes a cycle track and sandpit.

"When you have a positive idea then you just go for it," said Marion. "Obviously there are lots of problems that have to be faced but we have been so determined that nothing has put us off."

The Walkden branch of McDonalds has stepped in to donate lunch for the 20 gardeners tomorrow after the nursery cooker packed in at the last minute

Places for 35 children, costing £60 per week full-time, are now available, ring 0161 799 6649 or write to 29 Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton. M38 9WU.

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