Committee-run Little Angels Pre-school, based at Middlewich Methodist Church, had no choice but to close after 16 years because the new intake is not enough to sustain it.

Manager Debbie Snelson said: "It's been a really tough year - we had some vandalism and the shed broken into and now we've had to close which is pretty devastating but we've tried everything."

She added: "Three to four years ago, after the millennium baby boom, the birth rate dropped and numbers have been low for a couple of years.

"Unfortunately, because we are a charity the funds we have went to the children and to pay rent and staff and we couldn't sustain it any longer, especially when we found out the numbers would be just as low in September."

The pre-school began 16 years ago and was held at the Mission in Cross Lane until the new Methodist Church building on Booth Lane was opened in 2000.

The final day on Friday was an emotional time for children and the four staff - Debbie, Evelyn Currie, Fiona Baker and Rachael Josland.

Debbie said: "It was awful on Friday - we finished with a teddy bears' picnic and the graduation for the children but it was horrible to do that for the final time."

Valerie Edmonds, of Alexandra Road, whose granddaughter Lucy Kirk attended the pre-school, said: "It's very sad for us that they've had to close and it's affected quite a few people.

"But I'd like to thank them for the help and care they have given to children over a great number of years, in particular over the two years Lucy has attended when she has made many friends and has thoroughly enjoyed her time there."

Financial Services