The specialist property bank has provided Scamps of Benson with long-term finance to repay two bridging loans.

Scamps is planning to increase its number of places from 50 to 75 as it looks to ease the long waiting list of local families in a Thames-side village which is seeing a significant amount of new housing being built.

The nursery was established in 2001 by Sue Johnson who began by leasing the village hall before purchasing premises at Lowfield House in 2003.

The expansion of Scamps has been given the go-ahead by South Oxfordshire Council and Sue paid tribute to Cambridge & Counties for the funding.

“It has been amazing to work with a bank that actually listens to our needs rather than talks only about its criteria.

“I've had more support and interaction with the people at Cambridge & Counties than the business has had in 14 years with our main bank.

“I love what I do, but business owners like me work 12 hours a day, so it's amazing to have such a speedy service that is also polite and courteous.”

Wendy Burton-Webster, business development manager at Cambridge & Counties, added: “Scamps is a professionally run, well-established nursery with an excellent reputation.

“Sue is an incredibly committed and enthusiastic leader and we are very pleased to be supporting her as she leads Scamps into its exciting future.”

The commercial team at Slade Legal acted on behalf of Scamps, while Mark Lewis of Browne Jacobson represented Cambridge & Counties, with the valuer being Stuart Sayer of Christie & Co.