Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre is celebrating its 40th year of being part of the Alton community.

It was first located at the old Treloar site, and 26 years ago it moved to its present site in Eastbrooke Road.

One of the current staff can remember doing work experience at Treloar’s aged 14. It left her knowing that would be the career path she wished to follow.

The centre has developed and now has 120 children using the nursery, plus several families being helped by the in-house family support team. Staff throughout the centre are very knowledgeable and cater for every child’s needs, including those with special educational and medical needs.

Following the closure of the Sure Start centre in 2016, the family support team evolved through a board of trustees who formed a charity to raise funds and obtain grants so their invaluable work could continue.

To mark the start of this year’s celebrations Luath Grant-Ferguson, the founding headteacher of Bushy Leaze, and the current headteacher, Beck Hussey, opened the new sensory room.

The staff wish to take this opportunity to thank the community for their help and donations towards the sensory room coming to fruition.

Future celebrations are planned throughout the year and during April there will be an exhibition on display at Alton Library.

Anyone wishing to find out more about what Bushy Leaze has to offer, and ways in which they can get involved or help with fundraising, should call 01420 87675 or visit www.bushyleaze.co.uk