A pre-school is planned for part of the Rutland Garden Centre in Oakham.

Sarah Huxtable of Rutland Garden Centre Ltd has submitted a planning application to change part of the centre on Ashwell Road from a children's play centre into a pre-school.

Her application to Rutland County Council said the conversion would involve some 114m2.

It said: "The unit currently has planning for a children's play centre and associated ancilliary services. This would remain in place for 166.25 m2. The new 114 msq area are to become a funded pre-school as a new provision to the local area.

"Works would require a new dividing internal wall with no external alterations required. This is a great local provision and would also provide local employment opportunities.

The application added: "The building is currently a children's play centre, it has been closed for one year as due to its size, it became unsustainable."