A VILLAGE is celebrating the achievement of a new pre-school building which can also be used by the rest of the community.

Little Elms, which is in the grounds of Elmswell Community Primary School, finally has a new building after years of hard work.

Children who will be using the pre-school went along to cut the ribbon on Saturday.

There were also councillors, past and present pre-school committee members as well as members of the public.

Becki Elsden, chair of the pre-school committee, explained how the pre-school had been based in a run-down demountable building, also on the school site, for many years, but a grant from Suffolk County Council made it possible to achieve a new facility.

She said it had taken a lot of fundraising efforts and hard work, but they had finally done it.

“We are really positive and buzzing,” she said.

“I think the main thing is we are desperate to see the children in here now using it for what it’s there for.”

Mrs Elsden said overall they were granted �262,000 from the county council and the complete build cost �274,000.

She said the new timber building was ultra modern and featured under-floor heating.

As well as being used by the pre-school other organisations can book it.

Mrs Elsden said the health visitor, music groups, an history group and others would all be using the building.

She said it offered fantastic facilities to the children and the community.

“It’s a benefit to everyone really,” she said.

She believed the pre-school had been in the demountable building for more than 16 years, adding how it had become a cramped space. The event on Saturday was about saying “thank you” to everyone for their help in achieving the new building, as well as promoting it.

The building work was finished in the last couple of weeks and the children’s first session is tomorrow morning.

mariam.ghaemi@eadt.co.uk