Store helps nursery hit by toy theft

10:11am Wednesday 18th June 2008

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CHRISTMAS has come early for a Basingstoke nursery hit by criminals.

In May, the Hatchlings Nursery, in Worting Road, South Ham, had most of its outdoor toys stolen in a weekend raid.

Katy Stubbington, sales manager at the Early Learning Centre in Loddon Mall, was reading an article in The Gazette, about the theft, and asked her bosses whether the store could help.

They agreed and have gifted more than £200-worth of toys.

Miss Stubbington said: "The theft was really sad and, unfortunately, it is something that seems to happen a lot. At the end of the day, it is the kids who lose out."

Now the children have a range of new toys to play with, including a trampoline, a basketball set, a tent combo, a water table, a bubble machine, a bowling set, a big floor puzzle and two spacehoppers.

Hatchlings manager Elizabeth Ludlow said the children are thrilled with the stack of toys that arrived at the nursery.

She said: "Beforehand, I reminded them about the naughty people who stole their toys and how the Early Learning Centre was bringing new ones.

"They were delighted and some have dropped by the store to thank them for their generosity."

Police are still investigating the theft.