A NURSERY set up by a group of mothers is thriving thanks to backing from a community enterprise programme.

Business Link County Durham is encouraging more projects to follow in the footsteps of the Little Tykes Nursery, in Trimdon Village.

The nursery, which was opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair, can care for 18 children aged two to eight.

With support from Business Link's community enterprise team, the workers' co-operative is a successful business employing seven full and part-time staff.

Other schemes the organisation has helped include a wooden toys business run by people with disabilities and an award-winning one-stop advice shop on a housing estate.

Mavis Thompson, from the nursery, said: "The demand has been even greater than we expected, with children coming from the surrounding villages as well. None of us had ever run a business before and we needed help with a lot of basic things, such as doing the wages."

Paula Dubbledam of Business Link's community enterprise team, said: "The nursery is thriving and we are delighted it is doing so well.

"We are here to support anyone running a business that has a strong social aim, and it can be a manufacturing or service business involving a wide range of activities."

A new website about the community enterprise programme, accessed from www.blcd.co.uk has just been launched to encourage people to come forward with their community projects.