A FENLAND pre-school, which has been running for more than 30 years, has issued a fresh appeal for new members from September – or it will be forced to close. Only nine children have been confirmed as attending Benwick Butterflies Pre-School at the start

A FENLAND pre-school, which has been running for more than 30 years, has issued a fresh appeal for new members from September - or it will be forced to close.

Only nine children have been confirmed as attending Benwick Butterflies Pre-School at the start of the next academic year.

But Suzanne Scarborough, the pre-school's treasurer and a volunteer, said: "We have spaces for up to 24 children and if we do not get any more children we will have to close. We are already short of money to pay the staff for this term

"At the minute any donation, of either funds or resources is much appreciated - we can hardly afford to purchase a bottle of orange squash.

"We know the children are out there, it's just making sure they come to us to take the spaces up."

The pre-school, like any other, receives funding from Cambridgeshire County Council for children aged 3-4, but only for every child that is enrolled. The pre-school has already dropped the starting age to two, and parents pay for their child to attend.

The pre-school, which is based on the grounds of the village primary school, currently has its full quota of children but most of them will be starting primary school or moving from the area.

It held an open day on Tuesday to try and attract more interest, but it did not herald as much success as hoped.

Mrs Scarborough said: "Three families attended and their children might sign up, so they could take our numbers to about 11 and it still is not enough."

To enrol your child, or to visit, contact Benwick Butterflies on 01354 677733 or email benwickbutterflies@hotmail.co.uk.