A NURSERY group in Aycliffe is appealing for donations to help fund an instrumental musical adventure.

Staff and children at the Jack In A Box nursery group want to raise "loads of cash" to buy materials to build large musical instruments which will be placed in the grounds of Aycliffe Community Primary School for children to use.

Some of the instruments the nursery want to purchase include drainpipe chimes, bongo drums, cymbals, and a mini music centre.

The cost of all the equipment is expected to be around £4,500, but nursery owner, Michelle Allen, said she and staff will also look to buy the raw materials and build the instruments themselves.

She added: "To buy the instruments in bulk is the more expensive option, but we are more than happy to accept donations and then build them ourselves.

"The kids can have an input in the design stage, and if the instruments need to be built, then the adults can do that.

"Obviously it would be great if we can get instruments ready-built, but we just want them so the kids can enjoy them and benefit from the skills music can bring."

Jenny Blackwell, speech and languages technician at Jack In A Box added that the new equipment will be beneficial for the children's all-round development.

She said: "It helps them to develop their attention and listening skills and is an outlet for personal expression.

"It also helps them to build confidence, develop communication, social and mathematical skills.

"The new equipment will be instrumental in supporting the children's overall wellbeing."

The nursery has organised some fundraising activities in the coming months including a cake sale and staff have other ideas in the pipeline.

Mrs Allen said they would like to have the funds in place by the Easter half term.

She said: "The sooner we can get the equipment in, the quicker the children can start benefiting from using it.

"We will extremely appreciate any donations we get and it is going towards a great cause."

If you would like to make a donation call the nursery on 01304 213111.