YOUNGSTERS at Lexden Lodge nursery are feeling ready for the challenges of school after a graduation ceremony – complete with gowns and hats.

Staff at the nursery wanted to provide a memorable send-off to the 33 four-year-olds leaving to start school this September.

The children were presented with certificates and looked the part in their graduation gowns.

Nursery Manager Angela McQuilty said: “It was a nice and memorable way to mark the occasion. Some of the children have been at the nursery since they were six months old.

“Some of them have younger siblings at the nursery who will go to this.”