IT may have taken several generations of children, but Tackley Pre-School finally have a permanent purpose-built home after 20 years.

The village pre-school’s new building has finally been opened and is ready for its first intake in September. For nearly 20 years, it was housed in a temporary building.

Maxine Ward, who co-chairs the Tackley Pre-School Committee that runs the school, said: “We have got a fantastic new building and it means we can take on extra children.

“The portable building had become too small and had deteriorated.”

The new building’s ribbon was cut by Daphne Plumridge, 80, the woman who started the Pre-School back in 1971 in the Village Hall and who opened the portable building in 1993.

Mrs Plumridge said: “It is absolutely wonderful. I could not believe it when I went in for the first time. Compared to what I used to operate with it is absolutely lovely.

“I am pleased I am still involved with it and it definitely made me proud.”

The pre-school moved into the portable building after hiring the village hall for more than 20 years.

The new building is in the grounds of Tackley Primary School and will be able to take 15 pupils.

The open day marked the end of obtaining funding from Oxfordshire County Council.

The building cost £200,000 to build, most of which came from County Hall. The rest came from fundraising events such as a charity strip-tease by Here Come the Boys.

Parent Steph Radda said: “It is lovely. When you see the old portable building, it was just an old tin shed.”

Her son, Alfie Davis, four, said: “I had a nice day and I think it is a really cool building.”