WORK is finally set to begin on a nursery in Oxfordshire's newest village.

Parents in Heyford Park, which is being built on land formerly owned by RAF Upper Heyford, were left without childcare facilities when the village's only nursery, Park Keepers, was closed in July.

But lead developers Dorchester Living have announced the building of a new nursery will start at the end of this month with a target of opening the doors by the start of 2018.

Dorchester Living head of social infrastructure Sarah McCready said: "We recognise how essential childcare is for working families and the children of our community are very important to us.

"We were saddened by the closure of Park Keepers but are delighted that The Old Station Nursery will be opening and providing excellent childcare and early education for local families."

The Old Station Nursery chain launched in 2002 and now has seven different nurseries across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Berkshire.

The announcement comes after Dorchester Living consulted a number of different nursery operators and, after a selection process, chose The Old Station Nursery for its 'outstanding' practices.

Parents will be able to use the nursery for full-day or half-day sessions, as well as out of school care for children from birth to five-years-old.

The Old Station Nursery owner Sarah Steel started the first Old Station Nursery when she was looking for good quality childcare for her own children.

She has a background in management in the Army and civilian industries and brings her experience as a parent to the development of each nursery.

Ms Steel said: "We are delighted to have been chosen to provide the new nursery provision at Heyford Park.

"It fits well within our offer of high quality, local childcare in Oxfordshire and we are enjoying working closely with the team at Dorchester Living to design a fabulous new-build nursery, which all local families can enjoy."

The nursery is also looking to recruit staff for the 2018 opening and anyone interested is asked to contact emma@theoldstationnursery.co.uk