A NURSERY has opened in the home of a Darlington rugby club.

Earlier this month, Rosedene Nurseries Ltd, which has been trading for 20 years, set up its eighth nursery at The Northern Echo Arena, home of Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club.

Registered for 55 children from six weeks to eight years, the nursery in Neasham Road provides day care and for children attending schools nearby.

Company director Clare McCullagh said the nursery was the first one opened in the Skerne Park area of Darlington.

She added that staff could provide child care to those whose parents go to gyms nearby, mentioning the Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy, which is also based at the arena.

She said: “We work in partnership with the local community. We want to offer flexible, affordable quality childcare here.

“We are pleased that at present ten children are already in. We want to hire local people from Darlington and now we’ve got a local nursery apprentice.”