CHILDREN can hardly wait to get to nursery following the introduction of a breakfast and after-school club.

The club, at Bensham Grove County Nursery School, in Gateshead, serves up juice, fresh fruit, cereal, tea and toast to about 20 local children from 8am on weekdays.

As a once-a-week treat, they are also offered a cooked meal of beans, spaghetti or scrambled eggs on toast, and after breakfast, they can play before nursery starts.

The club also operates from 3pm to 6pm, when youngsters are entertained with games, activities and television, and are given a snack.

Headteacher Jean Wilson said the club was becoming a huge success, and included places for children who did not attend the nursery.

"We are hoping to help as many local parents as possible to manage their working and home lives," she said.

For more information, call 0191-477 2453.