CHIILDREN are desperately appealing for support to help secure a new building for their village.

Maiden Newton’s pre-school and after school clubs are currently run from the Youth and Community Centre, which was built in 1947 as a temporary structure.

It has had some refurbishment over the years but is past its sell by date and the lease on the premises expires later this year.

If an alternative facility is not found the pre-school, which offers childcare for two to four-year-olds from 8.30am to 2.30pm, five days a week, and the Bouncing Beanz after school club, which runs every weekday from 2.40pm to 6pm for three to 11-year-olds, could be forced to close.

The villager’s toddler group has already moved to the Maiden Newton Outreach Sure Start building as the Youth and Community Centre is not suitable for young babies.

Committee members for the pre-school, toddler group and Bouncing Beanz are working hard to find solutions and have secured planning permission to build an extension to the Sure Start building so it can accommodate all of the services.

However, they now need help to raise the remaining funds they need in order to complete the build to ensure the services can continue.

A statement issued on behalf of the committee members said: “If these facilities were forced to close it would devastate our rural community as many families have no other childcare options available to them.

“We would really appreciate any donations, big or small, that people can give to our cause to ensure the children move to a warm, safe and secure environment that is appropriate for the health and well being of the smallest members of our community.”

Anyone who would like to support the fundraising efforts can write to chair of the committee Theresa Critchell at Maiden New-ton Pre-School, Toddlers and After School Club, The Youth and Community Centre, Chilfrome Lane, Maiden Newton, Dor-chester, Dorset, DT2 0AX or email mnpreschool@ btinternet.com or call 01300 320127.