A THREATENED Yeadon playgroup has been saved - thanks to the parish church and a £10,000 grant.

Kiddiwinks Playgroup was forced to look for new premises after being given notice to quit its current home in South View Junior School.

After a frantic search, the group found a new home in St Andrew's Church Hall, Haw Lane - and now has a £10,000 grant from Aireborough Community Involvement Team (CIT).

The Rev Peter Sutcliffe, who was already looking at the future of the underused church hall, was more than happy to agree to its new use.

He said: "We're committed to playing our part in the life of the community and it seemed a real waste to have a building doing nothing when it could help to secure much needed child care in the town.

"Kiddiwinks move to our hall will help to create a facility that many more people in the town will be able to make use of."

Councillor Graham Latty (Con, Aireborough), chairman of the Aireborough Community Involvement Team (CIT) said: "I know that I speak for all the members of the CIT in saying how delighted we were to be able to make this grant to Kiddiwinks, and in the process to do something to help Peter Sutcliffe in his work at St Andrews. Kiddiwinks serve a big need in our local community and in improving the hall, they will be helping St Andrews provide a much needed venue for church and community activities."

And Maxine Cotter, chairman of Kiddiwinks Management Committee, said it was fantastic news. "If we'd had to close down our parents would have been devastated because there are not that many playgroups in the area. They would have found it really difficult."

Work to refurbish the hall is due to start after Christmas and it is hoped that the group will be able to move in after Easter.