A NURSERY stands little chance of spoiling the broth - after three years of looking for just one cook proved fruitless.

Barbara Keeley needs someone to prepare dinners for 40 children at her Lowercroft Road Educational Nursery, at Lowercroft Road Business Park in Bury. But she says that despite advertising the position repeatedly at the job centre, she has had only one applicant, who was not qualified.

She said: "I had to go on courses to learn to cook myself. I thought that it would be a temporary solution but after three years I'm still doing the cooking. It means I end up working until 8pm because of all the admin work I have to do as well. I just don't understand where all the cooks have gone."

Barbara believes the lack of interest in the position could be because of the low hours - she only needs someone for 15 hours a week. But she said the job would be ideal for someone who has previously worked at a school canteen.

The wage is £5.65 an hour, and the successful employee will cook bakes, pies, vegetables, salads and desserts for children aged two to four years.

Barbara (55) said: "I use natural ingredients because we're a healthy eating nursery. It's my policy to make things from scratch rather than buy processed food but I have very little time between meetings and paperwork."