PARENTS and children are celebrating after their playgroup was saved by a £300,000 grant.

A black cloud has hung over Rainbow Playgroup in Bicester since Oxfordshire County Council inspectors condemned its home — a 30-year-old portable building in Hendon Place — earlier this year.

Urgent repairs were needed and the playgroup was only able to open for the new school term in September after a DIY rescue bid by the local community.

Builder Ted Owen offered to do the work for free.

He roped in building supply firm Travis Perkins and also managed to persuade a gutter specialist and a plumber to give up their time.

But the playgroup’s long-term future has now been secured by the county council.

Not only will staff and toddlers get a new building, but Rainbow will be able to double the number of children it takes — currently 26 — and offer new services.

Playgroup secretary Roz Edwards said: “I’m absolutely over the moon — we are eternally grateful to the council.”

She said the grant would cover the cost of the building, but the playgroup would need to fund ‘enhancements’ itself.

She added: “We need to raise about £50,000, for example to buy a decent piece of garden equipment is £5,000 to £6,000.

“We want to have an amazing building, which is what our children deserve.”

The playgroup, a registered charity, will move to a new site in the grounds of nearby Glory Farm School.

It will remain independent, but the group will be able to forge stronger links with the school and use its facilities.

Work is expected to start next year and be completed by next Christmas.

The new building will have two classrooms, a kitchen, office and separate toilets for children and staff.

County council cabinet member Michael Waine said the council took a late grant application from the playgroup and that he had been working behind the scenes to get it approved.

He said: “It’s incredible news.”

Paul Ducker, headteacher at Glory Farm school, said: “The school will work with Rainbow almost on a daily basis, but Rainbow will retain its independence.

“Because it is coming into our boundary it will be easier to access other facilities we can provide, such as our halls, computer suite and our expertise.

“It’s important to stress we are not taking Rainbow over, we are providing space and an opportunity.”

Since June the playgroup has raised £4,500.

Up-coming fundraisers include a dance-a-thon at the school on Sunday.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk