A PRE-school rated outstanding is being forced to close down next month as the church building which hosts it is to shut due to the mounting cost of repairs.

East Bierley Pre-School has operated out of the St Luke's Church centre building in the village for the past 40 years.

But earlier this month it was revealed that the church is facing a repair bill of up to £100,000 amid financial struggles and a dwindling congregation.

As a result the Parochial Church Council has decided to begin the consultation process to close the building, and this has left the popular Pre-School without a home.

In a letter to parents, the Pre-School management explain that without alternative suitable premises in the village and the prohibitive costs of obtaining a modular building, they will have to close too.

It said: "We are very hopeful that, in time, the building can be restored to its former glory and once again be the cornerstone of the village.

"However, it is impossible financially to put pre-school 'on hold' and retain staff indefinitely whilst we have zero income stream."

It adds: "It is with great sorrow therefore, that I must tell you that East Bierley Pre-School will close its doors for the final time on Tuesday, July 24 - 40 years since it first supported the youngsters of East Bierley and district."

Pre-school manager Vivienne Sedman told the Telegraph & Argus: "We are really disappointed that it has come to this and that the pre-school is closing, but there isn't any where else in the village that is suitable.

"It's really disappointing for the children and families that we support, but we understand why the church has had to make this decision."

She added: " We have been through a couple of years with low numbers, but this September would have been our best intake in recent years."

She said that they currently looked after 39 children from the age of two and that they were hoping to arrange an open day for families past and present to come and say goodbye.

An inspection earlier this year highlighted a number of problems with the building.

This included issues with wet rot and wood worm, concerns about the safety of the electrics and a large crack to the rear of the building, rot issues with a number of the window frames and a need to repoint substantial areas of stonework of the building.

The church has also been told there are a number of areas which need attention on the roof, with a recommendation the building should be reroofed within five years.

A statement on the church's website says the PCC met last month and decided with a "heavy heart and much regret" to begin the consultation process to close it.

The statement says: "We estimate that the total cost of the work required at St Luke’s would be in the £50,000 - £100,000 range which is money that we simply do not have.

"We are struggling with our finances as a parish and are predicting a £30,000 loss this year.

"The likelihood of obtaining grants for this work is exceedingly slim as the building is neither listed or consecrated which is a criteria for many grants."