A PRE-SCHOOL nursery will be expanding from one part of a stately home into a larger section of it after agreeing a lease.

The Phoenix Day Nursery currently based in Merrymeade House's old coach house will add two cottages at the 101-year-old venue in Merrymeade Chase to their operations.

It comes after a 25 year lease was agreed by Brentwood Council.

John Kerslake, chairman of the Performance and Resources Committee, said: “We are delighted to have finalised this lease agreement with the Phoenix Day Nursery.

"Now even more children will be able to learn and play in the beautiful surroundings of Merrymeade House.”