By JUDITH CHARLTON

Last updated 13:31, Thursday, 03 July 2008

JUDGE James Murray-Wells, showed how enterprising he is when he combined a trip to Tynedale with the official opening of a local nursery play area.

Playing around: James Murray-Wells (far left) officially opens the new outdoor play area at Little Badgers nursery, in Haydon Bridge, helped by owner Gayle Hodgson, Tynedale Council’s chief executive Richard Robson and children Luciana Armstrong and Wilf Vall.

Mr Murray-Wells, who was in the district in his capacity as assessor for the Enterprising Britain 2008 competition, popped in to Little Badgers nursery in Haydon Bridge.

The nursery, which provides professional childcare for over 50 children a week, has just created an outdoor play area complete with wooden igloo, sand pit and water fountains.

Money for the scheme came from local funding panel, ID8, and Sure Start, with Northumberland National Park Authority providing the labour.

The nursery is owned by Gayle Hodgson, who won last year’s Pride in Tynedale Young Business Award.

After officially opening the play area, Mr Murray-Wells visited some of the businesses supported by Tynedale Enterprise Network (TEN), which last month won the regional heat of Enterprising Britain 2008.

The nationwide competition is looking for the most enterprising place in the UK that is best improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise. The winner will be announced in October.