A popular village pre-school is to close with immediate effect.

The closure is believed to follow a disagreement between the East Peckham Pre-School and some members of the parent-led committee.

The pre-school, which has operated in the village for 40 years, will close immediately.

A statement on the school's website made it clear that "contrary to rumours flying around the village and accusations being flung at staff, it is in no way their fault".

"The school has had to close due to a lack of funding and the village hall committee escorted us off the premises after impounding all our property.

"We can only apologise to all the parents and especially to the children. We have enjoyed teaching and caring for every single one of your children over the years, and only wish we could carry on.

"We are all as devastated as you are. We wish each and every one of you all the best in the future."

John Page, a trustee for East Peckham Village Hall, refuted the pre-school's claim on Facebook that they had been "escorted off the premises" by the village hall committee, saying: "I attended the village hall on Monday with two of my fellow trustees, and met with staff from the pre-school to ensure the facilities were locked up correctly after their Christmas party.

"We did not use any force, no one was ‘escorted’ from the property. On advice from our solicitor we requested that all items belonging to the Pre-School were to be left in the pre-school cupboards and all keys to be handed over on departure.

"Due to financial difficulties that the pre-school has been in since October, the staff suggested that we could use their equipment to settle some of the debts owed to us, but as we may not be the only creditor we were unable to agree to this.

"Until then, everything in the hall is remaining in situ until the matter has been resolved. We were very sorry the pre-school has closed, this was none of our doing, the trustees were only the hirers of the hall and its facilities.

"We are very sad the village hall and the wider community no longer has this amenity. It was a very difficult situation for us to be in, as well as the pre-school staff, who have contributed so much to the community for the last 40 years."

The parent-led pre-school committee has been approached for a comment.

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