PARENTS, staff and children connected to a Greenock nursery are being invited to a party to celebrate the end of an era and dawn of a bright new future.

Kelly Street Children's Centre will shortly close after 18 years and move to a new £2.6 million on the former Greenock Academy site.

The nursery will be called Glenpark Early Learning Centre.

Patricia Wylie, the head at Kelly Street, said they are leaving with heavy hearts but are looking forward to settling in to their new state of the art home.

She said: "The centre was opened by Councillor Allan Robertson in 2000 and thousands of children have used the centre over the years.

"It's part of everyone's lives.

"A lot of people have grown up here in Kelly Street, including staff and parents and thousands of children.

"There's a lovely family feel about Kelly Street.

"The building is going to be knocked down and we feel quite sad about that but it will form part of the great refurbishment of St Mary's Primary next door.

"We are delighted to be going to a new purpose-built facility."

The nursery hopes to move into its new premises by the end of term.

Staff are inviting everyone with links to the nursery, past and present, to a Final Fling at Greenock Town Hall on June 23.

Entertainment will be provided by the Flung Aboot ceilidh band and there will be food on the night.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children.

Patricia said: "We want to invite everyone with a connection with Kelly Street, including past parents, children and grandparents, to help celebrate Kelly Street's legacy."

There will also be a garden party at the nursery on May 23.

To book tickets call 715620 or pop into the nursery.