MEETING animals, face painting and fancy dress were just some of the treats that children across the town enjoyed yesterday.

Youngsters from Co-operative Childcare at Great Western Hospital were celebrating the nursery’s 10th anniversary, while children from Busy Bees in St Andrew’s Ridge and Windmill Hill Day Nursery in Windmill Hill Business Park marked National Storytelling Week yesterday.

Tracy Rundle, nursery manager at Co-opeative Childcare, said: “We opened 10 years ago this week, we opened just after the hospital did.

“As part of the celebrations the children looked at baby chicks and a ferret. The older children did an egg hunt and we also had a tea party in the afternoon.

“The children knew we were having animals in and we have done a lot of work in our pre-school about animals.

“This is a milestone for us and it has been a long time coming. We celebrate every year but 10 years is a big thing.”

Children at Windmill Hill Day Nursery have been taking part in face painting and mask making for National Storytelling Week.

Laura Malyon, nursery deputy manager, said: “Books are an important part of everyday life at nursery but during National Storytelling Week we concentrate on finding new ways to excite and feed the children’s imagination and they are loving it.”

Staff dressed up as book characters and the different age groups chose their favourite book to celebrate, making Gruffalo masks or, in the pre-school rooms, wearing face paint in the style of The Tiger who came to tea.

Grandparents brought their favourite children’s stories to nursery and read them in a range of languages.

“Our children’s families are wonderfully supportive of every nursery initiative but having grandparents in nursery telling their stories has been absolutely magical for both the children and staff,” said Laura.

Also celebrating National Storytelling Week was Busy Bees Nursery in St Andrew’s Ridge.

Rachael Allen, assistant room manager, said: “The children came as their favourite story character. We had gruffalos, Toy Story characters, princesses, pirates and Little Red Riding Hood. They brought their favourite books too.

“It’s to encourage them to read stories and use their imaginations to make up their own. The children have really enjoyed it.”