A NURSERY in Bury is celebrating after it was announced as a finalist for a prestigious national award.

Wellington Villa Nursery was up against 136 entries from across the North of the UK for the ‘Nursery of the Year’ award.

Thanks to praising testimonies from parents and guardians, the nursery has made the shortlist in the 15th annual National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) awards.

Nina Johnson-Murphy, owner of the nursery, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award. We feel extremely proud that the parents support us so much to vote for us in this way. Both staff and children here are ecstatic.”

The nursery currently caters for 38 children a day, from the youngest at 6 weeks old through to a before and after school and holiday clubs that cater up to the age of 10 years.

Shortlisted nurseries were chosen by NDNA staff. NDNA associates will be carrying out nursery visits in due course, ready for panel on 23 May.

NDNA Chief Executive, Purnima Tanuku OBE, said: “A huge well done to Wellington Villa Nursery. This is a fantastic achievement for them. They should be very proud of their amazing, hard work in this sector.

“I look forward to seeing them at the ceremony.”

The winners will be announced by Sarah Bishop, a BBC Midlands journalist, at a ceremony at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Friday, June 22.