A playgroup that caters for 60 families in North Bradford could close after being told its premises are being knocked down.

The St Francis's Playgroup has been running for six years in the church hall at St Francis's RC Church, Norman Lane, Eccleshill.

But its leaders have been told they must quit the premises by December.

Suzanne Paxton, playgroup leader, said: "We don't understand why the building has to be demolished as it looks fine. So many children use these facilities and it's had a brilliant report from Ofsted. We just can't understand the reasoning."

She believed it would cost between £5,000 and £6,000 a year to rent new premises and at the moment they paid just £1,000.

"We don't know which way to turn," she said. The playgroup leaders will hold talks with the Bradford Early Years service on Monday.

Christine Slater, special educational needs co-ordinator at the playgroup, said: "Four of us are employed here and our jobs will cease to be. This playgroup also has access for children with special needs. I feel strongly that this provision is not always there."

Helen O'Hagan, a parent, added: "I would be very sorry to see it go. My son is now at school, but it was very good for him because he used to be very clingy."

A spokesman for the Leeds RC Diocese said a surveyor's report had warned that £100,000 of repairs were needed to bring the church hall up to scratch.

Instead, the parish committee had decided to let the building go and create meeting rooms at the back of their large church building.

"That will meet their purposes and, unfortunately, the hall will be demolished," said the spokesman. "They have given the playgroup the longest time possible and they will be able to use the basement until December."

Phil Turpin, who runs P&J Idle Stompers with his wife Janet, said they would also have to find a new venue for their line dance socials which attract up to 60 people.

"The hall is a well-used facility but it has been left to deteriorate, which is a shame because there are not many facilities of that nature around here."

They will hold four more Friday socials - tonight, July 26, August 9 and August 23 - while they seek an alternative venue.

The Wednesday dance classes have been moved to Parklands First School, Thorpe Edge.