Boy, 2, in hospital after nursery playground car crash

A two-year-old boy was taken to hospital and another two children hurt after a car crashed into a nursery playground.

The vehicle drove through a fence at the Partou Sunny Days Nursery and Pre-school on Vale Road in Whitby, Ellesmere Port, just before 09:55 BST, said Cheshire Police.

Police said the two-year-old's injuries were "not believed to be life-threatening". Two other children sustained minor injuries after being hit by fencing. The nursery said it was "extremely distressing" and its immediate focus was supporting those affected.

A 63-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and the boy was taken to hospital with what police said were "thought to be serious injuries".

However, in a later update the force said the injuries were "not as serious as first thought".

He remains in hospital under supervision and his next of kin have been made aware, it added.

A Partou spokesperson said: "We can confirm an incident occurred today at our Sunny Days Nursery setting in Ellesmere Port involving a vehicle entering an outdoor play area.

"This is an extremely distressing incident and our immediate focus is supporting the children affected, their families and our colleagues at the nursery."

It said three children were injured; two sustaining minor injuries and "one child is receiving medical treatment".

The nursery said it was in contact with the families involved and was doing "everything we can to support them during this extremely difficult time" along with working closely with police and relevant authorities on the investigations.

The owner of Steve the Barber on Vale Road, near the nursery, said he first became aware of the incident when he saw police arriving at the nursery.

"It's very sad that the little ones injured," he said.

He said dentists and nurses from a nearby dental practice rushed over to help.

Steve said it was typical of the "outstanding" Whitby and Ellesmere Port community.

"They all help each other and do everything they can."

He praised police officers for the way they handled the incident including how they comforted parents who were "understandably upset".

"You get that call to say something's happened like that, your mind obviously goes into overtime."

He said police blocked both sides of the roads as parents were arriving and were "calming down the parents and looking after them".

"They were outstanding - they had everything under control."

The force said officers remained at the scene to "fully establish the circumstances" of what was believed to be an "isolated incident".

Local MP Justin Madders said he was "deeply saddened" to hear about the crash.

He said his thoughts were with the injured boy and their family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time, he said.

"I am also thinking of the other children involved, their families and the nursery staff who have experienced a traumatic incident."

The BBC has contacted NWAS for comment.