‘Nippers and Nappers’ – a scheme where young children visit the elderly – has been trialled in a Banstead care home.

Pre-schoolers from the Kindergarten at St Joseph’s in Epsom were invited to meet residents at Sunrise of Banstead, in Croydon Lane, on January 21.

They made shapes from play-dough and in the future the group will be singing, dancing, and crafting together to build rapport and have fun.

Tamara Juckes, activities and volunteer coordinator at Sunrise of Banstead, said: "We were absolutely delighted to have launched the Nippers and Nappers programme - the first session was a huge success.

“The team and the residents were so excited to welcome the young children into the community, to join in with activities which will help all participants to be engaged and active.

“We look forward to seeing new relationships and friendships develop between the children and residents in the next few weeks, an opportunity which will have a lasting legacy for both."

Alongside Tamara Juckes and Louise Kirby, the head of the nursery, Nippers and Nappers sessions will be run by local dance teacher Lynda Blyth-Phillips.