Construction has begun on a major building project at one of the county's best-loved specialist children's centres.

The year ahead is said to herald an exciting next stage for the Chamwell Centre Charity which has just signed a building contract with Speller Metcalfe this month (January) to signal the start of Phase 2 of its project.

Although there will be little evidence on site for the first few weeks, the behind the scenes activity has started in earnest.

The Chamwell Centre Charity celebrated the start of Phase 2 with a 'breaking ground' ceremony yesterday (January 30) in the grounds of The Milestone School.

Donors and supporters joined pupils of The Milestone School and The Chamwell Centre Charity team to mark this special occasion.

Pupils of The Milestone School prepared keepsakes and artwork which they buried in a time capsule along with building plans for the new Chamwell Centre.

Head boy, Jack and head girl, Mia placed the lid on the time capsule and added the first spades of soil around it.

On behalf of The Chamwell Centre Charity Trustees, chair of trustees, Dr Marie Owen thanked the assembled guests for attending and helping celebrate this significant milestone for the charity.

She went on to thank all the various trusts, foundations and charities that have generously donated to the project and local businesses and individuals for donations and support received to date.

This support has helped the centre raise £4m raised to date of the £5.1m required to complete the state-of-the-art hydrotherapy, soft play and rebound therapy centre.

This achievement will go a long way toward achieving their vision - to enhance the well-being of those with disability, with opportunities to improve physical fitness, access a range of therapies, sports and leisure activities and to improve wellbeing on a personal and social level.

Charity patron, Dame Janet Trotter was also present, along with representatives from The Milestone School governors, staff and pupils, Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Arthritis Trust, Gloucestershire Disability Fund, Gloucestershire Community Foundation, Pied Piper Appeal, GMCAction, All Churches Trust, Gloucestershire Wooden Spoon, Dee & Griffin, Longlevens RFC, Bovis Homes, Corraine Collins Dance Studio, Quattro Architects and Speller Metcalfe. Apologies were sent by St James' Place Foundation, Clothworkers Foundation, Peter Harrison Foundation, Cheltenham College, Creed Foodservice and EvansJones.

Light refreshments were served in the school hall with assistance from The Milestone School Community Café students Charlene, Mason & Phoebe (class S8).

Special thanks to the students for their participation and to Creed Foodservice for their kind donation of food and refreshments for the event.

Visit the centre's website at http://www.chamwellcentre.org.uk