A PLAYGROUP in Berkeley may be forced to close with the loss of seven jobs following a move to set up a rival group for pre-school children in the premises the playgroup now occupies.

The jobs were put at risk this week after Berkeley Playgroup was served with notice to quit its current premises at Berkeley Primary School to make way for a new pre-school.

The playgroup has more than 50 children on its books and has looked after the children in the town for more than 40 years.

This week, however, the group was told by Gloucestershire County Council that is must vacate the building by July 20, the end of term.

In a statement on Tuesday, Debbie Marklove, head teacher of Berkeley Primary School, said the school had decided to extend its childcare provision.

She said: "To do this we need to expand and that means using the premises currently leased from us by Berkeley Playgroup.

"We have talked to the group and explained our plans and we have informed them that they will need to relocate during the summer as we intend to start our extended provision from September this year.

"We are fully supportive of the group and we will continue to talk to them as they consider their future plans." It is not known whether the school would consider employing the seven members of staff currently working at the playgroup at its new pre-school.

However, the move has thrown into doubt the future of Berkeley Playgroup, which is now faced with finding a new home.

Helen Cerullo, chairman of the volunteer parent committee that runs the playgroup, said she had spoken to staff first thing on Monday morning informing them of the notice.

The committee was due to hold a meeting last night, Wednesday, to consider its options including seeking legal advice over the notice to quit.

Lesley Donald, playleader at the playgroup, said staff had been left shocked and were concerned about their future.

She said: "We’ve provided excellent service for the children of Berkeley. We’re professionally qualified.

"We just feel it hasn’t been done fairly."

Berkeley Primary School has this week issued flyers advertising its new pre-school facility.