A PLAYGROUP which has been going for more than 40 years is at risk of closure.

Committee members of Ruspidge Early Learners say if they can’t double its intake of children it will have no choice but to close.

Gemma Adams told the Review in order to continue the group needs to have 10 to 12 children a day as opposed to its current five attendees.

She said: “I have been on the committee for five years and numbers have been steady. This year we have seen two local playgroups expand which has affected us.

“We are a non-profit charity which is managed by a voluntary committee. Some of our staff have been with us for over 20 years. We are used to seeing children and even grandchildren of past children attend and we feel it would be such a loss to the community to have to close our doors permanently.

“We hope by raising awareness of our plight more people would hear about us and more children will attend. It is frustrating that many parents would get their child’s place funded by the government but they aren’t aware of this.”

A recent Ofsted inspection judged the group satisfactory and said the children are confident, happy and settle quickly into their play.

Gemma added: “Unfortunately Ofsted visited just as our manager resigned which seriously affected our report but we have already improved many aspects of the playgroup.”

For more information about the group search their page on Facebook.