STAFF at a small playgroup say they were forced to move from their regular site because council chiefs made it impossible to continue there.

Caerleon Playgroup has been a part of the community for 45 years and for 40 years it has been based in the Cricket Pavilion in the town.

The pavilion was knocked down and rebuilt with the help of lottery grants and sports leisure and tourism at Newport council.

During the time it was being renovated the playgroup found temporary accommodation.

Supervisor Lesley Howells, who has worked there for 13 years, said: "We managed working in other places until it was renovated. When the work was completed we were allowed back in."

The playgroup started back in the pavilion from April 2004. But Ms Howells said: "We were there until the end of April this year when they (Newport council) decided they needed it for seven weeks. At the moment we have a temporary home in the Methodist Church, Backhall Street."

Ms Howells says it isn't an ideal place for the playgroup. There is a lack of light, no place for the children to play outside in the sunny weather and you can smell the damp.

"When the children want to use the toilet we have to have extra staff on to monitor them and take them to the outside toilet," said Ms Howells.

And now the group says it has been told the tourism and leisure department of the council needs the pavilion site for a total of around 13 weeks during their term time.

Gill Rees, vice-chairwoman of the group, says that made staying at the pavilion untenable. She said: "It was a total of around 13 weeks during the term time and we had to leave the pavilion permanently. Now we are looking for somewhere else to hold the group and if we cannot find it, we will have to close and make four workers who we call 'aunties' redundant.

"We have 24 children here now and 12 more on a waiting list.

"We just want somewhere ideal for children so we can carry on with the group.

"It is such a huge part of the community - we have adults bringing their children here who were cared for by us.

"If anyone knows where we can stay, please call us on 01633 423282 or 07747 655419."

A Newport city council spokesman said: "The council is continuing to seek alternative accommodation for the playgroup."