They first mooted the idea while at a mother and baby swimming class more than six years ago.Two enterprising mums began their latest business venture last week after opening up a new day nursery in the former sister chapel to Wymondham Abbey.

They first mooted the idea while at a mother and baby swimming class more than six years ago.

Two enterprising mums began their latest business venture last week after opening up a new day nursery in the former sister chapel to Wymondham Abbey.

St Edmunds was a venue for weddings and christenings up until the 1970s, when it was converted into a private home. But the former chapel is set to welcome dozens of babies and toddlers after becoming the second Mulberry Bush Day Nursery to open in the Wymondham area.

Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt performed the ribbon cutting duties on Friday and praised the efforts of Ros Cutts and Jo Billham who set up the business to help address the shortfall of day nursery places in Wymondham.

The businesswomen, who formed their first nursery for children between the ages of three months and five years at Mulbarton in 2003, will be able to offer 27 places at St Edmunds in Norwich Common.

A future extension to the 19th century building, which was granted planning permission last year, will increase capacity to cater for 56 babies and toddlers.

Mother-of-two Ros Cutts, from Ashwellthorpe, a former personnel manager, said she hoped other mothers would be inspired to set up their own businesses.

'It is very exciting. It has been a bit manic and has been a challenge, but it is nice to see a result at the end of the day and to see the children playing in the new nursery.'

'It is very tough for women to juggle family life as well as starting up a new venture. It certainly takes up a lot of time and enthusiasm and dedication,' she said.

The opening follows a long planning battle to get the former chapel converted into a nursery.

Mother-of-two Jo Billham, a former teacher, from Wreningham, said it was a 'relief' to see the second Mulberry Bush Day Nursery have its grand opening.

'Wymondham has been flagged up as being in need of more baby places. More women are going back to work after having their babies and our baby places are almost full, which shows the need,' she said.