A BLUEPRINT for a planned £275,000 extension and remodelling of Bury's only council-run nursery has won a major UK award.

And the project earmarked for the Hoyle Nursery in Chesham Fold Road will be used as an inspiration for future, similar work throughout the country.

The plans for the nursery have won a firm of architects one of only three top design challenge awards in the UK.

Thanks to their innovative design concepts, Dsdha Architects have been awarded a £10,000 prize and will be commissioned to deliver their award-winning scheme.

Bury joined Bexley and Sheffield in winning the New Neighbourhood Nurseries design challenge.

Last month, the Government announced plans to create 45,000 childcare places in the most disadvantaged areas.

And £40 million of capital funding was made available to local authorities to build nurseries in some of the nation's most socially disadvantaged areas. The design challenge will enable the creation of places and spaces that are of the highest quality as well as being adaptable, functional and provide inspiration for children.

The competition was organised jointly by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the Department for Education and Skills.

According to the judges, Dsdha was selected because of their "holistic approach to the design process and the design of the nursery itself.

"The existing buildings are subtly transformed with remodelling helping to radically change the relationship of the building to its surroundings.

"The design provides an imaginative yet pragmatic solution to ensure the transformation of Hoyle Nursery, which currently provides an exemplary service for local children and those with special educational needs."

The citation goes on: "The winning design re-connects the nursery to the community by creating a new frontage on to the local park and a new view corridor through the building.

"It integrates indoor and outdoor space with a series of outdoor rooms in the garden. The extension and remodelling of the existing accommodation create a community focus adjacent to the entrance and flexible spaces for children and carers."

Selection panel chairman, Sir Nicholas Serota said: "I was impressed by the creativity displayed in many of the schemes and by the way in which the clients had played a role in shaping the final design."

The Neighbourhood Nurseries initiative is a Government programme led by the Department for Education and Employment which aims to increase the provision of childcare across the country, but with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

Bury Council education officials are delighted that Hoyle has triumphed in the design challenge. It is not yet known when work at the nursery will begin.

Last year, Ofsted inspectors praised the nursery in its report, declaring it to provide excellent care for children.