A DISUSED church is to be transformed into a 60-place nursery thanks to a £75,300 National Lottery award.

The former Christian Science church, in Hutton Lane, Guisborough, was a mini-supermarket before it became a place of worship.

Now lottery agent the New Opportunities Fund has granted the cash to Rosedene Nurseries to convert the property once again.

Clare McCullagh, owner of Rosedene Nurseries, confirmed the business was private, but said that a number of undertakings had to be agreed before the cash would be granted.

The centre, which is expected to open in the new year, must provide places for babies and offer parenting skills classes which will include antenatal, child psychology and baby massage classes.

The nursery, which will be only the second in Guisborough, will also make provision for teenage mothers and may provide after-school care.

Mother-of-three Mrs McCullagh, 37, who also owns nurseries in Yarm, Marske and Redcar, said: "We found out we had the grant earlier this week and we have been over the moon ever since.

"I think we were granted the cash because we already have a good record offering child care and can get started offering the service straight away."

The lottery grant is only the second to be awarded for a new nursery in Cleveland.

The lottery and the Government are providing £303m over the next three years to expand nursery education across the country.

Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, chairman of the New Opportunities Fund, said: "These grants are paving the way for the creation of new childcare places by investing in much needed buildings.

"The grants demonstrate the fund's continuing commitment to backing community-led, quality nursery provision."

Mrs McCullagh carried on with her business after winning a £165,000 share of a £2.4m on the National Lottery in 1999.