A THRIVING pre-school forced to find a new home could face closure if it doesn't find the cash to fund its move.

Holy Family Pre-School recently celebrated its 20th anniversary but is now unsure whether it will re-open after it closes its doors for the summer break on July 16.

For the past year it has been running from a classroom at Holy Family Primary School, in Marlowe Avenue, Walcot.

Before that it operated from a mobile building in the school grounds but that land had to be sold off and the pre-school moved inside the school.

But now that the school needs its classroom back, the pre-school is faced with an uncertain future.

Its only option is to find the funds to move to its former home, the mobile building, and make it suitable for use again but it could cost up to £32,000.

The mobile building is currently being used for storage.

The pre-school has about £15,000 and has no idea how it would find the shortfall.

Jadz Szuster, the supervisor manager of the pre-school, said: "If we do not resolve these issues by August, we might not have any where to run our pre-school from.

"I'm appealing to local companies to help us out if they can.

"After 20 years of running the pre-school, I don't want to see it close. It would be a real shame if it came to that and I'm hoping it won't result in that."

Ms Szuster has been supervisor manager at the pre-school, which caters for two to four-year-olds, for nine years.

The pre-school could apply for a grant to help with funding but that cash would not be available until November, which would be too late for the start of term.

Ms Szuster said: "We've had great Ofsted reports and the pre-school is going from strength to strength, so it would be awful to see it all go to waste now.

"I hate the fact that we could close in July not knowing whether we will ever re-open. At the moment it seems to be one step forward, two steps back. I really want it to work out for the best, for the children's sake above all else."

The pre-school has been awarded a Learning Alliance accreditation for the high education standards it provides.

Anyone wishing to donate money should call 07732 704560.

Emma-Kate Lidbury