Crossing paths.

Byline: CHRISTOPHER KNOX

TWO young South Shields nursery nurses who trained and spent their work placements together at an Ashfield Nursery in their hometown are together again - this time at their employer's sister nursery at Low Fell.

Natalie Moulding, 21, and Abbygail Hayes, 20, could barely believe their luck when they were both offered full-time jobs at the Low Fell nursery.

"We really like it here, in spite of the travelling back and forwards to Low Fell every day," says Natalie, who lives in Brockley Whins, South Tyneside. "We are good friends as well as colleagues and we are delighted to be together again."

Nursery manager Angela Thomas says the double appointment is timely because of a marked increase in the number of children being placed at the Low Fell establishment.

"We're receiving requests from parents to come and see the nursery's facilities practically every day of the week, and the majority of the visits result in children being placed with us," said Angela.

"The appointments of two new members to our nursery team will help to meet this rise in demand for our services."

Both Natalie and Abbygail, studied at Hebburn College for their B.Tec National Certificates in Early Years.

Natalie, who has a four-yearold daughter, says the nursery profession runs in her family. Both her sister and her mother are qualified nursery nurses.

Abbygail, who works in the baby room at the Low Fell nursery, is also qualified in British Sign Language and for the last two years has worked with a group of deaf children at Trinity House in South Shields. Ashfield Nurseries & ELC Ltd operate three nurseries. The other is in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital, South Shields.

CAPTION(S):

FRIENDS - Abbygail Hayes (left) and Natalie Moulding, newlyappointed nursery nurses at Ashfield Nursery, Low Fell