Making memories for Meadow Kindergarten family with artistic tribute to Captain Tom

And this image of the centenarian has raised plenty of smiles among young famillies of Meadow Kindergarten after assistant manager of the nursery Matthew Green spent a day drawing the creation on the car park of the Meadows Lane nursery.

While the childcare centre is currently closed with their keyworker 'emergency hub' based at Moorvilla, Matthew and wife Gemma who is manager at Meadow Kindergarten, wanted to do something to honour the man of the moment and bring their pre-schoolers together in a different way.

The couple from South Shore, would last month have celebrated 10 years of the nursery, one of the six settings in Blackpool, directed by Sarah and David Sloane

Dad-of-three Matthew said: "Not being able to see the children everyday has been hard, we all miss them so the team have been coming up with different ways, especially through our social media, to keep in touch.

"We've had story times and made videos, this idea just came to me as a way to do something to celebrate Captain Tom but also to give our families the chance to visit as part of their daily walk. The children have found it a little strange that the doors are shut but the response has been lovely and we've had a lot of messages and appreciation from the team and the families - that connection which is so important right now."

The painting took Matthew, who is also a part-time football coach, part of day to draw and colour in with chalk with Gemma and their children getting involved.

He added: "This time for our pre-schoolers, particularly for the older ones is a special one, where they're making their last memories of their time before school.

"We're really hoping we can all be back together soon but this was just nice for the kids, something we could give them. It's our job to create and build the best memories and that's what we are trying to do.

"Captain Tom is a national treasure and a person they can look back on and remember when they are older."

Manager of Meadow Kindergarten Gemma Green added: “Our sister nursery Moorevilla is open and is the emergency hub for all six of the childs play settings which are directed by Sarah and David Sloane.

"Staff are working extremely hard so that key workers can continue to work.

“All six of our settings are posting daily videos and activities to keep all of our children busy during this time and keep them in touch with the nursery staff.”