The system is designed to reassure parents over security

Staff and parents at Winnie's World have had their prints registered so they can gain access to the building.

The biometric security measure replaces a numbered keypad so that anyone who wants to enter the nursery must hold their finger up to an outside scanner.

Managers said the system helped reassure parents who use the nursery, which caters for up for 60 children.

They said that with the old system there was always a chance the number could have been passed on without their knowledge.

Security alerts

Parents are said to have reacted "very positively" to the print scanner.

A total of 122 staff, parents and carers have their fingerprints registered on the computer database to allow entry.

Pre-school Supervisor Wendy Cowie said: "With the old system there was always a chance the number could have been passed on without our knowledge and that wasn't good from a security point of view.

"Now it's a lot more efficient because we don't have people forgetting the code and it's logistically better because we don't have to change codes at regular intervals.

"The computer system and display screen also alerts staff if the door has been forced and other potential problems, so there's a lot more to it than just a simple entry system."