STAFF and pupils at a St Albans nursery took a step back in time today during their 70th birthday celebrations.

In the 1940s Muriel Green Nursery started off in Lemsford Road looking after evacuee children.

Before the actual educational centre was established, mothers would come along to wash, dry and iron their clothes at sixpence per wash.

A birthday party was held at the St Albans Children's Centre today - where the nursery is now based.

The 1940s was recreated with games, music and dress from the past. Staff and govenors, both past and present, held a fancy dress party while members of St Albans Musuem played games with the children.

Headteacher Barbara Snijder said: "It's been really exciting because we are so pleased to be a part of Muriel Green because of its long history."

She added: "The children have had a lovely time.

"The St Albans Museum have been here playing games with the children and they have loved it."

In June 1940 the nursery was opened by Marchioness Salisbury. At the end of the Second World War the nursery was taken over by Hertfordshire County Council.

It continued to provide nursery education in Lemsford Road up until the move to Church Crescent in September 2001.

In July 2003 Muriel Green became part of Hertfordshire's first Sure Start Children's Centre.

Mayor of St Albans Maxine Crawley came to join in the celebrations and unveil a mural of the school's history painted around the corridors.