NURSERY children had a colourful early start when a film crew from ITV's GMTV turned up.

Staff at Kiddiwinks in Old Hall Square, Worsthorne, arrived at 5.45am and by 6.20am, more than an hour before the usual start, 20 children were eagerly waiting for their moment of TV stardom all dressed in bright colours for a rainbow day.

Officer-in-charge Christine Thomas said: "Presenter Duncan Woods was absolutely brilliant and the crew were great. They didn't make a fuss and Duncan told a few jokes and put everybody at ease."

The TV link was made by staff member Lindsay Wilkinson whose son six-month-old Oliver was the youngest child to be filmed dressed in orange and blue striped shorts and T-shirt.

The nursery was holding a fund-raising event when children were sponsored to collect items in different colours and Lindsay contacted GMTV for sponsor forms for their Get Up and Give appeal.

Christine said: "When the producers said they were interesting in filming we thought someone was having us on but they rang back to confirm it.

"I think they might have picked us because we were one of the first to contact the programme about the appeal.

"The children sang If You're Happy and You Know It and I Can Sing a Rainbow and they were all wearing brightly coloured clothing, some even had different coloured socks!

"One of the parents videoed the broadcast and they children were very excited about watching themselves on TV."

The nursery, which is owned by Christine, her sister-in-law Jacqui Thomas and Maureen Lynn, has operated in Worsthorne for three-and-a-half years.

It hopes to have raised £200 for the appeal and money will go to the National Autistic Society, Carers National Association, Children's Trust, Cancer and Leukaemia in Children and Cruse Bereavement Care.

Picture: Victoria Walne (front, left) and Ross Pickering (front, right) with other youngsters and staff at Kiddiwinks Nursery who appeared on GMTV as part of the Get up and Give appeal.