A PLAYGROUP is facing closure unless more youngsters join it.

Bolster Moor Playgroup now has only around 10 children who attend regularly and the low numbers mean it is struggling to make ends meet.

The Ofsted-registered playgroup, based at Bolster Moor Baptist Chapel on Bolster Moor Road, has now appealed for more youngster to join in the fun three mornings a week.

Qualified playgroup leader Christina Smith - pictured with some of the children, parent Charlotte Kidd and staff member Janet Clark - said: "We can take up to 24 children and we need a lot more than 10 for us to break even. We are in a good rural setting and take the children out to farms and on walks as well as doing crafts with them indoors.

"It's a special playgroup that has been going for more than 30 years and people are welcome to come and see what we do. It would be such a shame to have to close, but that is the prospect we are faced with at Christmas unless we get more numbers."

People do not have to live at Bolster Moor to attend the playgroup.

The playgroup for children aged from two and a half to school age meets on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9.15am to 11.45am.

The toddlers' group meets every Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30am and takes children from babies to youngsters aged two and a half.

Anyone wanting more information can ring Christina on 0777 0870146.