A CHILDREN'S nursery has launched a £50,000 appeal to save it from closure.

A private nursery has operated from Kirkby and Great Broughton School for the past 30 years and recently received a glowing report from the Government watchdog Ofsted. It has 19 children on its books, with another eight on the waiting list.

However, a subsequent Ofsted report on the main school recommended that pupils should have full access to the hall from where the nursery is run.

A deadline of Easter 2004 has been set and the nursery is seeking to build a modular building in the school grounds or face closure.

The Friends of Kirkby and Great Broughton Nursery are applying for grants and organising a number of events to raise the £50,000 required.

The campaign kicks off next Friday with a balloon race at 10.30. An auction of promises event is also planned at the Bay Horse in Great Broughton on Friday, November 28, at 8pm. Prizes include a limousine ride, a helicopter trip and a week in a cottage in Cornwall.

Committee member Helen Anderson said: "We've delivered letters to the local community and so far the response has been very positive.

"Local businesses have chipped in with donations and some people have written cheques. We have raised over £500 in a short space of time."

She added: "There is a lot of parental concern that we might lose the nursery. Most people can still remember when they had children there."

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets, donate items or services for the auction or contribute towards the appeal should contact Helen Anderson on 01642 713288 or Jacqui Davis on 01642 712997