The Redwell Nursery has been based at the Sir Christopher Hatton School site, in The Pyghtle, Wellingborough, since becoming a registed charity in 1980.

But now the nursery, which caters for up to 60 children aged three to five years old, could be left homeless if it cannot find new premises.

The nursery has been told it has to vacate the school premises by the end of the school year in 2011.

Chris Curry, vice-chairman of the nursery committee, explained the nursery has been struggling to find somewhere to move to and is urging anyone who may be able to help to come forward.

Mr Curry, whose youngest child attends the nursery, said: "It came as a very big shock when we were told we had to leave.

"The nursery is basically in the Hemmingwell, which is a deprived area. We'll essentially be closing a vital service and losing 60 nursery places somewhere that really needs them.

"We asked the county council for help, but they said because we are a registered charity they can help us look, but they can't rehome us.

"We've been in touch with various premises, but we can't find anywhere.

"If we can't find anywhere we'll have to close.

"We're a charity – we don't have a lot of money and we were paying minimal rent at the school.

"When you think how long it's been going, it's really very sad."

A spokesman for the governing body at Sir Christopher Hatton School said: "The issue at hand is one of space coupled with our expansion plans for the future.

"Sir Christopher Hatton School is a successful, expanding school with 1,200 students operating from a site which was originally designed to be a 600-student girls' school.

"We have reviewed our long term strategic site development plans.

"Regretfully, we have been unable to accommodate Redwell Pre-school within these plans and have given them the earliest possible notice.

"We hope that they are able to find a suitable alternative location to continue to provide this valuable community service."

If you can help call Redwell Nursery on 01933 272788.