A group of sporty youngsters who were evacuated from Wootton Bassett’s Lime Kiln leisure centre when it caught fire before Christmas have retured to their base.

Rugbytots, a rugby-based exercise class for children aged two to seven, was running its session for under-fives on a Saturday morning in December when the fire broke out in the centre’s sauna.

Wiltshire and Oxfordshire Rugbytots franchisee Barbra Frost said: “The alarms started going off. We were evacuated straight away and had to leave everything behind.

“When we got outside there were fire engines everywhere. We had to wait outside because we didn’t really know what was happening and didn’t know the extent of it, or if it was just a fire drill.

“Then it became apparent what had happened and the police sent us all home.”

She said the group didn’t get their belongings back for more than a week, but luckily nothing was damaged.

The centre was shut until April, but the group took up an offer from nearby Longleaze Primary School to use its assembly hall.

Mrs Frost said although they were grateful for the help, it restricted their space and the group was forced to drop from four classes to three, restricting their numbers to 16 children.

The youngsters were back at the Lime Kiln on Saturday, with town mayor Paul Heaphy in attendance to wish them well.

Mrs Frost said: “It was lovely to be back, to have lots of room again.

“The parents were all really happy. They are all families from Wootton Bassett and Lyneham and they were pleased to be back at the centre again.

“It is important to have the space again because it gives us a chance to expand and get back to having more classes.

“There were loads of kids running around and making noise, which is what it should be like.”