A nursery whose building was damaged in a fire has been given a temporary home at Twickenham Stadium.

Flames tore through Twickenham Park Day Nursery in the early hours of Thursday (May 12) morning, leaving 60 tots and toddlers with nowhere to go.

But RFU (Rugby Football Union) chiefs came to the aid of the nursery by offering it free use of the Carling Suite at the home of English rugby while its premises in Cambridge Road, Twickenham , are repaired.

Guy Mitchell, manager of the nursery, said: "This is fantastic. Our parents have been very supportive but they needed to know we have a safe environment for their children, with staff they know looking after them.

"We have pre-school children from one to five and the older ones are very excited, especially as some play touch rugby."

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Neighbours told of the commotion after the fire broke out at the ground floor building at around 3am.

One woman said she believed the fire, which is not believed to have been started deliberately, began in the kitchen.

'Delighted we could step in to help'

Fire officers investigate after a fire at Twickenham Park Day Nursery, Cambridge Road

The nursery is run by Eaton Square School in Pimlico and takes children under the age of three and others up to the age of five in the pre-school area.

It was closed on the morning of the blaze as fire investigators tried to figure out the cause.

RFU community relations officer Pedro Diogo said: "We were glad to step in and provide a space that works while the nursery is being repaired.

"We want to help mitigate serious disruption to the children's day care and their parents' working lives. We are very much part of our community and this is just one of the ways in which we can help."

The children received a special visit from RFU chairman Bill Beaumont, who has just been confirmed as World Rugby chairman.

"It's lovely to see them having fun. As a father and grandfather, I'm very aware how much working parents rely on their child care," said the England rugby legend.

"I'm delighted that Twickenham Stadium could welcome the children and nursery staff. Our relationship with our local community is really important to us."