A DAY nursery has become the first in Teesdale to gain the Investors in People award.

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster presented the award to staff and children at Green Lane Nursery, in Barnard Castle.

The nursery opened in 2001 with ten children, and now has 110 children on its books. It took only six months to get the award.

Mr Foster praised the nursery staff for their hard work.

He said: "I'm glad they have got this public recognition of how good they really are."

Linda Poulter, childcare manager, said: "Doing this has helped all the staff understand the business.

"It shows them we are here not just for the children but for the staff as well, and we will give them input.

"I think it's paid off. We've just had an Ofsted inspection and are quietly confident it's going to be a good one."