STAFF at a pre-school in Bradford on Avon have launched a fundraising campaign for a new home.

Castle Gardens Pre-School was told it would need to leave its current base in the Lambert Rooms by July 31, as Christ Church, which owns the building, is selling it to help pay for vital repair works to the church.

The Rev Ann Keating said: "We have spent our reserve repairing the roof and the spire. We cannot afford the upkeep of both the church and the Lambert Centre. We are selling it so we have the money for a toilet and kitchen space in the church.

"If anyone needs to use the toilet they need to try and cross the busy road to go to the centre, for older and younger people this is difficult to do quickly.

"No one wants to see the centre close, but we are having to make the best out of a bad situation."

Sharon Sheppard, manager of Castle Gardens, said: “I’d say we definitely won’t be able to use another hall in the town. At the moment we have 12 children aged between three and five but we can take up to 18 youngsters.

“We have had support from the mayor but we need to raise between £15-£40,000 to help us build a wooden building which could then be put either on Christ Church School’s grounds or elsewhere.”

The Lambert Rooms, which has been home to Castle Gardens for over 25 years, is also used by local groups, including the town's award-winning dramatic society The Bradfordians.

Phil Courage, chairman of The Bradfordians, said: "It’s a bit of an end of an era as we have been rehearsing at the Lambert Rooms for about 30 years and have a great affection for the place. After looking at most of the alternative spaces large enough in the town we are pleased to have done a deal with the Wiltshire Music Centre, where we will be rehearsing until further notice. We have already started rehearsing for our Summer Tithe Barn production of Romeo and Juliet. It does have the advantage of a car park."

The town's MP Michelle Donelan wants to see the pre-school continue, and has pledged to help it find an alternative home.

Miss Donelan said: “It is very important for the town to have places like Castle Gardens for the local children and parents.

“Bradford is getting bigger and bigger and there is a need for pre-school care for young children.

“I will do everything I can to help the charity find a new premises so it can carry on its good work in the local community.”