THE grass is now definitely much greener for babies and younger children at a farm-based day nursery in Richmondshire.

That’s because they now have their own dedicated outdoor play area thanks to a donation of artificial grass.

High Bank Day Nursery needed artificial grass as the centrepiece of the new play area it has created for the very youngest children who attend the nursery, which is based on a working farm in the village of Stapleton, near Darlington.

It approached Grass Direct and when the North-East based retailer discovered what the nursery was planning it donated grass from its Oasis range to help the nursery complete the project.

High Bank Manager Zara Watkinson said: “Whilst the babies and younger children already had access to the large outdoor play area, we were keen to develop a standalone space just for them to enjoy, play and learn."

“Having artificial grass is a safer solution and a lot easier to maintain, so we don’t need to worry about muddy feet or little trips and spills which children that age tend to have.

“It also means we can use the area all-year round, even in winter, which is important as the whole ethos at High Bank is on outdoor learning and play.

“Being situated on a working farm, and with our own mini-farm for the children and Forest School, means we are understandably keen to maximise the outdoor space we have, and this new area further complements this.

“We are therefore very grateful to Grass Direct for their support.”

Grass Direct, which sells the UK’s largest range of artificial grass online and via its 20 retail stores, has its head office in County Durham.

Grass Direct Regional Manager Greig Anderson said: “We donated grass from our Oasis range as it’s our best-selling product and perfect for a project like this which will get lots of use from tiny feet!

“High Bank has an outstanding reputation, so we are delighted to have been able to support the nursery in the extension of its outdoor learning area.”