A COLLEGE has opened an improved nursery for students' children.

New College Durham regularly had to turn parents away from its previous nursery because, with just 28 places, it was too small to cope with demand.

Now, it has refurbished the centre at the Framwellgate Moor site, in Durham, and doubled the number of children it can accommodate.

Redevelopment work has been funded through a childcare places grant scheme run by the Learning and Skills Council County Dur-ham.

The scheme is aimed at helping parents remain in education by giving grants to colleges to improve childcare facilities.

College staff and members of the wider community can also book places.

Jan Knox, the widening participation and social inclusion officer at the Learning and Skills Council County Durham, said: "Childcare is identified as a key regional barrier to gaining employment or participating in education and people with young children should not be excluded from learning.

"We are delighted to have been able to support the redevelopment of the nursery, which can now offer more places for those who want to remain in study."