A school is celebrating after hitting its massive £375,000 target for a state-of-the-art nursery.

The final £150,000 has been awarded to Newhall Park Primary school, in Bierley, Bradford, to build the unit on site. And today head teacher, John Flockton, said he hoped work would start soon so the centre could be up and running by the autumn.

"It's a very exciting project and this means a lot to the school and the community," he said.

The cash came from the National Lottery's New Opportunity Fund.

The building will house an open-plan nursery, a baby unit, health clinics and a training room which will offer sessions for job-seekers to help them find work. It will employ about ten to 15 part-time workers.

The design includes a large multi-coloured window which will filter a rainbow of warm shades into the nursery.

"The children will gain by the close association with the school and we anticipate that their transition to full time education will be much easier," said Mr Flockton.

The school was designated an Extended School by the Department for Education and Science, giving it the chance to develop a range of community services, including such as before- and after-school clubs, librar-ies and sports facilities.

The centre is part of the Government's Neighbourhood Nurs-ery Initiative which is designed to bring high-quality affordable childcare to the most needy areas of Bradford district.

It is also funded by SureStart, European Regional Development Fund and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Quadrant Pact and Bradford Council's early-years and childcare service.