A NURSERY in Okehampton, which has been caring for children for 17 years, will be closing its doors for the last time next Friday (July 26) unless more people make use of it.

If Toad Hall in Station Road closes there will be only one nursery in Okehampton that is open during the school holidays.

The facility has been run for the past nine years by Julie Sylvester and has capacity for 33 children.

It currently has 12 children on its books but eight of them will be starting school in September leaving only four children at the nursery.

Parent Nicky Hutchinson said Toad Hall was an 'amazing little nursery' which both of her children had attended.

'It is hard to describe just how wonderful Toad Hall is,'she said. 'Yes, it follows all the Government guidelines about development targets, but what makes it special is how much the staff care about the children and how much the children care about them.

'It's like a second home really as the passion the staff have for their jobs is amazing and the activities they do so varied from making cup cakes with a group of under-fives to constructing wigwams to going on bear hunts in the park.

'As Okehampton residents we always complain about the lack of facilities but if we don't help local businesses fight to survive we will lose them.'

Mrs Sylvester said the nursery could not survive with four children and needed bookings for September to keep going.

She said: 'For the last few years the numbers of children have been dropping.

'We started with nine staff, now we only need three as new children do not seem to be coming through.

'We do not want to close but do not know what else to do. The staff are so dedicated it really is very upsetting.'

Toad Hall provides day care for children from 0-5, and after school and holiday care for children up to 11.

It also picks up from Okehampton Primary. The nursery can be contacted on 01837 54492.