A CHINEHAM playgroup is being forced to close after 23 successful years.

The Three Balloons Playgroup, which meets in Chineham Village Hall on four weekday mornings, will go out with a bang at the end of this year - with the group's last-ever nativity play.

Sharon Rainsbury and Jackie Cheshire have run the playgroup together for the past 15 years, but a fall in the number of children and increasing financial challenges have left the pair with few options other than to shut up shop in December.

Mrs Rainsbury, 44, said: "It's a shame and very sad to see it coming to an end, but keeping it running would not be fair on the children as we are having to cut back on what we can provide."

The playgroup can take up to 24 children a day, but it is currently at an all-time low with the biggest session only attended by 14 toddlers.

As well as being affected by a general decline in under-fives in the area, the playgroup was hit hard when the Government introduced nursery vouchers about six years ago as it does not accept them.

Mrs Cheshire, 45, said: "This is the lowest number we have ever had, and with the rent of the facilities, we can't meet our costs.

"We don't want to put the fees up because we are not about making money.

"But now funds are becoming tight, it's horrible having to draw in the reins and we are having to cut back on what we can provide for the children."

Mrs Rainsbury said some parents of the children who go to Three Balloons have asked about other playgroups in the area, and have even been in tears on hearing of the closure plans.

Three Balloons differs from the two nurseries in Chineham - Abacus and Willowdene - because it is purely a playgroup with no structured learning.

Mrs Rainsbury and Mrs Cheshire are expecting a packed hall for the final nativity play, with former staff and children planning to return for the momentous performance.

The nativity event is on Friday, December 17 at 11am.