CHURCH bosses have come under fire after a long-established village playgroup was served notice to quit.

Euxton Village Playgroup is desperately searching for new premises because its landlords the Archdiocese of Liverpool wants the building at St Mary's RC Church for a new nursery school shortly.

But an anonymous letter of complaint has gone out claiming that the new nursery would just be for Catholic children thus leaving the many Church of England youngsters who use the mixed denominational playgroup with nowhere to go.

Father Daniel Cadogan, of St Mary's Church, said he had seen the letter and was "angry and annoyed" about it.

Reluctant to discuss the issue he said he would refer the letter to the archdiocese trust solicitors.

Shocked Mrs Ruth Titherington, who helps run the 25-year-old playgroup, confirmed it was being asked to leave. "It took me a bit of time to get over," she confessed.

She said: "They didn't discuss it with us, they just sent us a termination of tenancy notice.

"It came at the beginning of January, it was like a six months notice. In that time I have tried to get other premises but there's nowhere suitable in Euxton."

She said she had not seen the letter which also claims Euxton's only other playschool is not big enough to take in all the children.

Mrs Titherington said she thought the archdiocese could have told her about their plans earlier, such as last year when work was carried out on the building.

"It is sad for me because I have been there 20 years. I have had children who are now mothers bringing their children.

"The problem in September is that half of the children I have got are going to school and the other half staying who haven't got anywhere to go," she explained.

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