Businesses and residents are helping to rebuild a playgroup destroyed by arsonists, writes Paul Warner.

More than 1,000 has been donated to the Rainbow Playgroup since its home in Hendon Place, Bicester, was destroyed in a fire a fortnight ago.

The Bicester Round Table has donated 500, as did furniture company A Touch of Pine, based in Telford Road.

The Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce has pledged 100 while the Bicester Breakfast Club has given a further 150. Bibby Distribution Ltd, based off the Bicester ring road, has provided skips to fill with debris from the destroyed mobile building and has offered to help with the clear-up operation.

Laura Price, the playgroup chairman, said the help they have received has been fantastic.

She said: "Everybody has been wonderful. We're still looking for a new mobile but this money will be useful for when we eventually get one.

"Everybody connected with the playgroup feels very touched by the offers of help we have received," she added.

The Salvation Army has offered the playgroup a large room to rent in its building in Hart Place when the new term starts on Wednesday. Members of the public have donated second-hand books and toys to the playgroup.