THE importance of early learning was the subject at the top of the lesson plans at Rixton-with-Glazebrook Pre-School last week.

Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North, visited the Manchester Road facility to mark 40 years of pre-school in this country.

The movement was set up by parents unable to find nursery education for their children.

Committee secretary Allison Graham said: "We wanted to stress the importance of our pre-school in the community to Helen, therefore we asked parents to send in anniversary postcards inviting her to attend one of our sessions and at the same time write a five-point manifesto from the children's point of view.

"This will be entered into a national competition."

Helen said: "This is a good way of publicising the work done by the pre-school movement.

"Since it began more than 20 million children have had the opportunity to have a good educational start.

"The value of childcare and early education merit recognition."