IT was a day of ponies, party hats and far too many e-numbers when children at a Winchester pre-school said goodbye.

Woodhams Day Nursery children thanked teachers and parents during a special leavers party.

The Kings Worthy pre-school held the celebrations to wish toddlers well on their journey into primary school.

Around 40 children in all - the biggest single departure from the Springvale Road site - will start 'big school' in September and there was no better way to celebrate than petting some animals.

Rabbits, ponies, dogs and more joined the party.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Claire Wren with Toby, Martha and the kids. Photo by Chris Moorhouse

Woodhams director, Mary Mould, said the children had a great day but it was sad to say goodbye to such wonderful children.

"It was a brilliant day," she said. "Some of them have been with us from the age of thee months, right the way through. Some of them we've known even longer - as much as seven years - as their siblings follow them.

She added: "Farm To You came and filled our garden with rabbits, chicks, dogs, donkeys and ponies, all sorts. All the children got the chance to pet the animals and then the children that were leaving went inside to play party games with big hats and lots of balloons. It's the largest party we've ever had."

Thirteen children will be going to the feeder Kings Worthy Primary School while the remaining children will be going to both private and state schools across the county, including Alresford, Andover, Romsey and Micheldever.

"We have a real cross-section of schools," Ms Mould said.