A DAY nursery set up to cater for the children of workers in the cotton mills has closed its doors after more than 50 years.

Thousands of children have passed through the doors of Lincoln Road Day Nursery since it opened on April 17 1951.

But yesterday the Blackburn with Darwen Council run facility held a party to celebrate its success in looking after the borough's children for so long.

Local residents, staff, parents, carers and children who have attended the nursery over the years were all invited to say goodbye and record their memories of the Day Nursery in a special book.

Nursery staff also created a newsbook which is a historical record, illustrated by old photographs and drawings.

Liz Kilshaw, head of childcare at the nursery, said: "This is a very sad but special day for us.

"This nursery has been a focal point in the community now for over 50 years.

"We have seen a lot of changes in childcare during that time, and I am proud to say that staff at Lincoln Road has always been at the forefront of those changes."

When the nursery opened there were 50 children aged 0-5years who attended between 7am and 6pm because their parents worked in the cotton mills.

It was run along hospital lines with staff who wore navy blue uniforms with white caps, collars, cuffs and aprons and were referred to as matron or sister.

Toys and play equipment were limited and youngsters slept on wood or canvas beds after lunch.

Since the 1970s it has been run by Blackburn with Darwen Social Services which transformed the set up and services provided.

The decision to close the site came in 2001 with plans for a £1,155,000 purpose built children's centre built using government money in nearby Pringle Street which will offer high quality childcare, nursery education, adult learning and training opportunities and health care.

The centre will form part of a network of 12 Children's Centres across the borough, all providing the same core services to parents, carers and children.

The majority of staff and children will transfer to the new centre when it opens in April. Support will be provided by the council until then.