A PRE-SCHOOL which has been operating for nearly 40 years is launching an appeal for £40,000 to improve its facilities. Former pupils of Tilehouse Street Pre-school in Hitchin are invited to join town MP Peter Lilley at the launch of a project to build a

A PRE-SCHOOL which has been operating for nearly 40 years is launching an appeal for £40,000 to improve its facilities.

Former pupils of Tilehouse Street Pre-school in Hitchin are invited to join town MP Peter Lilley at the launch of a project to build a children's outdoor play area and new toilet block.

There will be displays, information, family fun and activities from 10am to midday on Saturday, March 11, in the hall at Tilehouse Street Baptist Church.

At 11am, Mr Lilley will mark the official launch of the building project by unveiling a fundraising chart in the shape of a child.

Since it opened in 1968 the pre-school in Upper Tilehouse Street has provided over 1,500 children with a strong foundation for their education.

Currently run by a committee of church members and parents, the pre-school hopes to build for the needs of future generations of children and is calling on former pre-schoolers to renew old acquaintances and lend their support to the project.

The project will provide a partially covered outdoor play area and garden next to the hall used by the pre-school, as well as a set of dedicated children's toilets. At the moment they have to use adult height toilets.

Planning consent has already been given, and the pre-school hopes to begin and complete the building work during the summer holidays, ready for children to use in the autumn term.

Tilehouse Street Pre-School is keen to make contact with local families who have attended or supported it since it began as a play group in 1968, to invite them along to the launch.

They can also join Friends of Tilehouse Street Pre-School to keep in touch and help support the project by making a donation or getting involved in fundraising.

So far £5,986 has been raised towards the £40,000 target and there are several grant applications in the pipeline.

More information can be found at the website www.tilehousestreetpreschool.co.uk