A KNOCK on the door of an empty convent sparked a labour of love for a dedicated couple, who have transformed it into a childcare centre.

When Bob and Yvonne Cook discovered the building, in Grange Close, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, its only residents were spiders.

But the couple spotted its potential, and set about converting it to a nursery.

Now the sparkling new centre, which boasts offices and staff facilities, is ready for eight workers and 27 children.

To mark the project's completion, the pair are holding a fun day, complete with Disney characters and a bouncy castle, on Sunday.

Yvonne, a site supervisor at Grangetown's Attlee Road Primary School, said it signals the end of a lot of hard work.

"I like to do things, and this was a challenge," she said.

"But the rewards are here every day. You just have to see the children's faces.

"They're absolutely thrilled. Parents need to know that their children are safe and happy, and we believe we're fulfilling that need."

To make the premises safe, the couple were faced with the task of installing security shutters, mesh grilles and a CCTV system, which cost more than £10,000.

They paid for the devices with their savings, along with Government and local authority grants.