TWO 10-year-old boys have been interviewed by police investigating a blaze which partly destroyed a children's nursery.

Two classrooms -- one of them a family meeting centre -- and an outdoor toy store were destroyed in the fire, which started about tea time on Sunday at Stonehouse Nursery in Leigh.

Now, instead of celebrating the nursery's 30th anniversary next week, workmen and staff will be frantically working to recomission the Etherstone Street building, off St Helens Road, in preparation for re-opening.

And this week, Stonehouse manager Margaret Tucker praised firefighters for containing the blaze and preventing even worse damage.

"We are devastated about what's happened, but thankfully the fire brigade prevented it spreading to other parts -- we are lucky to have any building left."

Part of the building has been closed and will need extensive work to repair fire damage and other areas will be restored to nursery use as soon as possible.

Catering for one to five year olds, but also providing a service for youngsters up to the age of eight, the Wigan Council Social Services Department is also used as a contact centre where children can meet separated parents on neutral ground.

Stonehouse resource manager Steve Westhead explained how the nursery opened in 1971, was renamed Stonehouse and the building was adapted to accommodate a service for children and parents. It became a contact centre three years ago. Each week, 25 families from an area ranging from Higher Fold estate to Lowton and Golborne make use of the drop-in centre.

Vandals and thieves have frequently targeted the nursery, and the toy store has been raided several times.

The family contact centre was destroyed in the blaze and a social services spokesman said it was difficult to estimate when that would be operational again.

Alternative family facilities have been made available at Platt Bridge, and children have been allocated temporary placements at other nurseries.

Yesterday, Mrs Tucker said the target was to reopen the nursery on June 25 if repairs are complete.

"If anyone has any worries or queries, they can ring the nursery on 01942 674556 and we will do our best to help," said Mrs Tucker. WAITING GAME: Staff, parents and children must wait to see if repairs can be completed by June 25