CHILDREN at a pre-school in Marlow Bottom are sliding and swinging their way around a new playground after workers and councillors smashed the fundraising target.

Marlow Bottom Pre-School officially opened its new play area after a team of fundraisers reached the £5000 mark for the new equipment months ahead of schedule.

The pre-school, which operates from Marlow Bottom Village Hall, also received a cash boost from Wycombe District Councillors for the area Dominic Barnes and John Richards.

The pair pooled their respective ward budgets and donated around £1000 towards the cause, attending an official opening last week to hand over the funds.

Pre-school chair Jane Hawksworth said: "It’s all gone really well. We have a strong fundraising team, and our target was £5000 for the whole year and we’ve reached it already which is fantastic.

"The kids are enjoying it and we have had really good feedback from the village hall trust. It’s been a big success.

"We have a very strong partnership with White Stuff and they have been great in supporting us. And for the councillors to donate their whole ward budget and come down here is fantastic."

Mrs Hawksworth reserved special praise for Joanne Caldwell (pictured) who headed up the team of fundraisers.

The team generated cash through a Christmas Bazaar, balloon race and a children’s obstacle course, with 18 people running the Marlow 5 last week in support of the pre-school to the tune of £1500.

Mrs Hawksorth said all 56 children registered at Marlow Pre-school will benefit from the new equipment, which includes a wooden climbing frame and slide.

the remaining money will be used to buy new equipment for the pre-school and to take the children on an outing later this year.