A TODDLER group which has operated in North Swindon for more than 25 years is under threat after being told it needed to find new premises.

Busy Fingers has been based in a room at the Haydon Centre since it first opened but has now been told it must find a new home.

Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), who recently took over the lease of the town’s leisure facilities, has told Debbie Musa-Eiggie, who runs the group on a volunteer basis, it wants to put a gym in the room they use, but says no formal decision has been made.

The group has expanded and now has evening and holiday sessions for youngsters up to the age of 14.

Parents have reacted with outrage to the news and a petition has been set up to try and convince GLL to alter its position.

Debbie said: “Unless we find somewhere else then we are under threat of closure.

“The room we have is perfect. It is big enough for the kids to run around and even cycle indoors so they can run off energy and have a run whatever the weather.

“Over the years, we have grown and now have 150 children using us up to the age of 14. There is not a lot else for children to do around here so we provide a community service.

“We have been told they want to put a gym here but we already have some of those nearby.

“I don’t run this to make a profit and all money is put into the group. I have been offered some smaller space but this doesn’t have the storage area so I would have to drag the equipment in each day." she said.

“I was told just before Easter that the room was going to be turned into a gym as soon as September. I just hope we can find something before then, or I don’t know what will happen.”

Among those who use Busy Fingers is mother-of-two Kelly-Ann Pendle. Her three-year-old daughter Faith has been going since she was 18 months.

Kelly-Ann, 30, of Taw Hill, said: “I was really disappointed when I was told. It is such an important group to all the mums in the area.

“It seems the things like this are dwindling and the rest are over-subscribed so mums are being turned away. A lot of grandparents and childminders go as well. My mum initially started taking my daughter while I worked and I attend on maternity leave at the moment.

“This is not just a play group but an important community facility. There are lots of gyms in the area but not enough things like this which cater for children. I hope the decision is looked at again.”

GLL took over every facility last year and have confirmed they are looking at the services which are to be provided at the centre. The company says that before any formal decision is made a public consultation will be held.

A spokeswoman for the company said: “GLL can confirm that we will work to accommodate all existing user groups at the Haydon Centre. We are currently reviewing proposals to offer improved facilities for the community, and will be holding a public consultation in due course.”

Ward councillors Oliver Donachie and David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) have said they will be meeting the company next week.