STAFF at a village playgroup have raised a glass of pop to an East Hampshire landlord after giving them room at the inn.

Colin Baker has been hailed as “a hero” by everyone at Stepping Stones by allowing their playgroup to operate from a temporary cabin in the grounds of his Half Moon pub.

Renovation work meant the playgroup had to move out of Sheet Scout hut, with the cabin earmarked for a space at the edge of the recreation ground.

The proximity of overhead power lines meant the cabin could not be lifted into place when it arrived, so Mr Baker allowed the group to use part of his overflow car park as a temporary home.

“He’s really helped us with a lot of things, not least letting us use his car park,” said Stepping Stones manager Kim Griffiths.

“We’ve had dads come in for breakfast and he’s helped with the food, he fills up our water tank and he really has been our hero.”

The group celebrated the successful move and the end of term last Thursday by throwing a Teddy Bear’s Picnic in the garden.

Mr Baker and his colleagues provided nibbles for the event, which included a performance from children’s entertainer Just Alex.

The landlord said: “It just made life easier for everyone as they had the cabin and I had the space.

“I’ve hardly noticed they’ve been here and they’ve also added a bit of fun to the place.”

Toddlers at the nursery have also become members of an ‘intergenerational group’ when they took part in a music and movement session at Downs House in Steep.

The session was arranged by Boggie Mites Portsmouth and is designed to promote learning, language and literacy skills among toddlers through learning catchy songs, playing with props and making friends.

The children were very good at helping their older friends with the props and even treated them to a rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.