A FAMILY run nursery has invested more than £1 million in new purpose built premises in a move that will create eight new jobs in York.

Acomb and Poppleton-based Muddy Boots Nursery has relocated into its new facility after securing a six figure funding package from HSBC.

Muddy Boots, previously based in The Old Manor School, is a family-run nursery offering places for children aged between six weeks and five years.

A £795,000 commercial loan from HSBC has enabled the organisation to invest in building a new £1.3 million site in Boroughbridge Road.

Based within nine acres of land, the facility is eco-friendly, featuring solar panels, a sedum "living roof", sensor-operated taps and hand dryers, and underfloor heating.

The site even includes a grasscrete car parking area to minimise hard surfaces and water run-off.

Husband and wife duo Andy and Anna Nimmo, who own Muddy Boots, said: "We are over the moon to have received financial backing from HSBC. The new premises mark a significant step in our growth and establishment as a successful nursery in York.

"Our ethos - the Muddy Boots way - is to give children the best start in life through exploration of fantastic learning environments both indoors and outdoors.

"The children are hugely enjoying the large outdoor space in our new home, not to mention the eight acres of land surrounding the nursery grounds itself.

"We are so proud of our fantastic staff team who genuinely love and care for the children.

"This project has ensured that the nursery continues to be a home-away-from-home for the children, an extension of their family, which is what is so valuable to our existing families.

"Parents have expressed just how impressed they are with the new facility and that it only builds on the already successful nursery they’ve grown to love while their kids attend Muddy Boots."

The site will allow Muddy Boots to expand its business, as well as continuing to offer care and education to young children. In addition, the business expects to recruit eight new staff members over the next year.

York-based HSBC relationship manager, Simon Worthington, said: "Muddy Boots enjoys a great profile in York and has a well-earned reputation for quality childcare. We’re pleased to support Andy and Anna and their team in the evolution of the business and the valuable services they provide to local families."