A PLAYGROUP has become the first in this area to earn the highest praise from Government inspectors.

Mrs Kaye Emberton, leader of Highburton Playgroup, said Ofsted inspectors now grade schools and playgroups they visit.

She added: "They said our playgroup was a `provision of high quality', which is the highest award they give. The inspector also gave us an outstanding practice award for our sensory garden.

"It is the first time in Kirklees that one of these was has been given."

The sensory garden has been created next to Burton Village Hall, where the playgroup is based.

Burton and Highburton Community Association helped the group apply for grants.

Most of the money came from Kirklees Council's Kirkburton Area Committee. A small sum from Kirkburton Parish Council was used to buy plants.

Mrs Emberton said: "We have different areas in the garden dedicated to different senses. We have planted lavender for the smell area, different grasses and feather plants for touch, vegetables for the tasting area and bamboo and wind chimes for the sound.

"The children really enjoy it and have been planting seeds themselves. Because it is ongoing, children in the future will also benefit."

The awards from Ofsted are in addition to the Quality Assurance Award, which the school received from the Pre-School Learning Alliance last October.