THE end of playtime whistle could soon be blown at a Preston pre-school after it was forced to relocate, dramatically reducing the number of children attending.

The newly-named Little Angels playgroup, in Egerton Road, Ashton, is facing a drop in pupils since moving to new premises and fears are mounting that there will be a shortfall in cash if more children are not enrolled soon.

Last month the group -- then called The Bridge Centre playgroup -- were forced to relocate from a site in Eldon Street, Ashton, because the owners of the building required the space.

Little Angels community member, Alison Wilcox, said: "Lots of children may lose their places in the school that they love and my son, Matthew, is one of these.

"He loves painting, singing and dancing and playing games with the other children."

Although staff had high hopes for the new venue and have had lots of help and support from the local community pupil numbers have remain low since the move.

Alison added: "We now have a nice airy building, the rooms are much better and there will be an outside play area which we can get funding for.

"We have had a lot of support from local people to get it ready -- we all mucked in together to paint and install facilities."

Generous local, Stephen Fisher, from Ribbleton, Preston, installed the heating for free and Mark Smith, the vicar from St Michael and All Angels Church, in Egerton Road, has been working with his congregation to help install new cupboards.

As a non-profit making charity, the pre-school is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, and recently proved their high achievement with a glowing OFSTED inspection report.

Currently there are 30, two to four-year-olds, but the school has the capacity to take 25 children for each morning and afternoon session.

And, as providers of nursery education, the pre-school accepts nursery vouchers and people can claim up to five free sessions for children aged three to four-years.

Alison added: "We had a really good reputation before but people don't know that we are here, especially now we have changed our name."