A NURSERY in Smithills will expand to include the flat above despite objections from neighbours.

The Red House Nursery in Smithills Croft Road currently accommodates 29 children at ground floor level but the extension upstairs will allow it to take in another 20.

Three new jobs will also be created, with the number of staff rising from seven to ten.

Bolton Council's planning and highways committee unanimously approved the application despite four objections from neighbours opposite.

They said parents using the nursery blocked residents' drives with their cars and prevented them parking near their homes.

Opponents also claimed the parking provision was inadequate and would increase the risk of accidents.

Applicant David Bailey told councillors the only other nursery in the area offering care for children aged five and under was due to close.

"That will compound the need for extra places," he said.

Mr Bailey added that there would be 12 parking spaces as well as a facility for parents to drop off their children before driving on in a forward gear.

Councillors backed the plan on the understanding that Mr Bailey will submit a scheme detailing his provisions for parking and access to the nursery.

Smithills ward member, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: "There's no doubt there's a tremendous need for this facility and a lot of effort has been made to meet the staff parking requirements."

Cllr Hayes added that he accepted there were congestion problems in the area and was urging highways bosses to look at possible traffic management schemes.