A playgroup that looks after almost 50 children is facing homelessness.

Burwood Playgroup rents a classroom and office space in Burhill Infant School, Hersham, but was told at Christmas time that they had to move on.

The school, currently an infant school that admits 90 pupils at reception, is expanding to provide complete primary education from 2014.

Lorraine Cole, an employee at the group, said: “Because the school is being developed, they said there wouldn’t be any classroom space for us.

“We are one of only two play groups in Hersham and have been in the town since 1962.

“We’ve always been in Hersham and a lot of our kids are from the area, so we want to stay.

“But, because we are non profit-making, we try to keep fees as low as possible so we can’t rent expensive places.

“Everywhere is saying they want £80,000 a year, but we haven’t got that sort of money, we’ve got no chance.”

The play group takes in 24 children in each of its two daily sessions, five days a week, 38 weeks a year.

It plans to move over the summer holidays.

Mrs Cole said: “We are very worried at the moment because everywhere we’ve looked at so far is erelict or out of our price range, and we need a safe environment for our kids.

“There are lots of buildings we do not know about out, so it would be great if people could get in touch.”

Call 01932 240026 or email contact@burwoodplaygroup.co.uk if you know of a suitable premises.