CHILDREN have returned to their revamped play group thanks to the efforts of a local builder.

At the end of the summer term, Rainbow Playgroup, in Hendon Place, Bicester, feared the group could have to close because of a backlog of repairs.

But, following a group effort, all repairs on the 30-year-old portable building were completed ready for the 70 youngsters to return yesterday.

Repairs needed carrying out to ventilation, the roof, guttering and cladding, and would have cost thousands of pounds in labour and materials.

However, Ted Owen, of SE Owen Builders, whose wife, Kay, is a playgroup assistant at Rainbow, offered to do the work for free and enlisted the support of guttering and plumbing specialists.

Builders’ merchants Travis Perkins provided the materials.

Committee secretary Roz Edwards said: “It is looking fantastic, and the future is very bright.

“The fact Ted has come along and got other people involved has been brilliant.”

The playgroup, which is now searching for a new building, has launched a £200,000 fundraising campaign.

Pictured, front, are Roz Edwards with Sydney MacKay, three, and Ted Owen, with William Roberts, three, with other builders, children and helpers.