LEADERS at a playgroup in Berkeley have said the group has been forced to close after being evicted by the town’s primary school.

Last week the Gazette revealed that Berkeley Playgroup had been given notice to quit its building at Berkeley Primary School to make way for a rival group.

At the time it was hoped an alternative venue would be found or a legal challenge could be launched.

However, the voluntary committee, which has run the group for 45 years, has decided to close it with the loss of all seven full and part time jobs.

Helen Cerullo, chairman of Berkeley Playgroup Committee, said the school’s decision to terminate the lease this July left the group homeless.

In a statement she said: "Having considered a number of options, Berkeley Playgroup does not believe that there are any suitable or available alternative sites within the local Berkeley vicinity."

She said the costs involved in establishing and running an alternative site and the inevitable reduction in children attending would make the group unsustainable.

Mrs Cerullo added that the committee was determined not to create a conflict between two playgroups.

According to Mrs Cerullo Berkeley Playgroup had always enjoyed a good working relationship with the primary school, where it has been based for the past 22 years.

Mrs Cerullo said the two had recently discussed greater integration.

She said: "Berkeley Playgroup Committee is extremely disappointed that Berkeley Primary School is no longer supportive of the playgroup and is not considering any formal integration with the existing setting and that the school is launching an alternative."

Liz Cox, a mother with children at Berkeley Playgroup and Primary School, said: "We are supposed to be a community. There is a lot of shock at how this has been handled."

Last week Debbie Marklove, head teacher of Berkeley Primary School, said the school had decided to extend its childcare provision but needed the playgroup to vacate its buildings to allow them space to do so.

Berkeley Playgroup will be holding a special general meeting at its premises on Tuesday, June 12 (7.30pm) where a vote will be taken on a proposal to start the process of dissolving the group.