Ref. 13830A pre-school in Melksham could be forced to close because its landlord is refusing to pay a crippling bill for vital repairs.

Staff from Canberra pre-school held crisis talks with Wiltshire County Council on Tuesday because they cannot afford to pay the bill which runs into thousands of pounds.

The playgroup will be able to return to a prefabricated block, known as the white building, at the Spa Road site next month because the county council agreed to pay for measures to control a mice infestation and fund improvements to toilet facilities.

But problems with fire doors, exposed wiring and inadequate storage space and kitchen facilities will have to be solved by the pre-school.

Supervisor Pam Hillman said: "We seem to be low on the list of the county council's priorities. It's going to be extremely difficult to find the funding. I would like to think that we are going to cope but it could cripple us."

While disabled facilities were being improved, the pre-school was forced to move out of the Canberra building, which is also used as a youth centre.

Staff were told they would not be able to move back in because under government guidelines the youth service needed the building to provide daytime facilities for 13 to 19 year olds.

Pre-school chairman Adrian Hart admitted the condition of the white building was below Ofsted standards, but said inspectors will allow children to use the building temporarily.

Staff are frantically organising fundraising activities because they want to pass another inspection due in October.

Gabrielle Bidmead, a special needs education co-ordinator at the pre-school, feels other groups who use the white building, such as a tae kwondo group and entertainment club, should help meet the repair bill.

She said: "There are a lot of unanswered questions but the onus is on us to pay for the work.

"It is not as though the building is just for us. It is a community building so it would be nice if everyone else who gets the benefits contributed as well."

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council said: "We are working very hard to ensure the premises being used by the playgroup are up to Ofsted standards so the pre-school can continue to offer a good service to children of this age group.

"We have recently met with the playgroup and have been consulting them throughout."