A COUNCIL that says it can no longer afford to keep a threatened pre-school open has managed to find £8,000 to stave off its closure.

But angry parents at Kirk Merrington Pre-School feel the popular facility should still be funded by the council entirely and not be left for them to run as a management committee.

Spennymoor Town Council announced it would provide £8,000 to add to the £20,000 from the local education authority to cover the wages of the three part-time staff for 2001/02.

But it would mean parents taking over the running of the pre-school and fundraising for items such as equipment.

They would also have to reapply to the council for the same £8,000 grant every year, and they feel they do not have the time or expertise to run it as well as the council.

Paul Skuce was among more than 30 parents and 20 toddlers who campaigned outside Spennymoor Town Hall before the £8,000 was announced.

Paul, a member of action group Parents Against Closure, said: "It's a very big grant and we're grateful for that, but they're forcing us to make it a private day nursery.

"How are the staff meant to have job security when we have to beg and borrow to get the money every year? What they also fail to realise is that the money from the local education authority is for three year olds upwards and we have five children aged two-and-a-half."

Town council leader, Councillor Bill Waters, said: "The last thing we wanted to see was the pre-school close and we've certainly bent over backwards to find a solution.

"We think £8,000 is a very good offer. Also the Co-operative Development and county council have agreed to give the parents help and advice in setting up a management committee."