The toys are pristine, the sand in the pit lies undisturbed and the paint brushes are clean as a whistle.

In fact, there is one vital ingredient missing from Thornbury Playgroup - children!

Julie Maud, playgroup leader, says not one child has come through the doors since they were thrown open last week.

"It's a terrible shame, all these lovely toys and not one child to play with them," she said.

The playgroup was set up thanks to a £1,650 grant from the Newlands Single Regeneration Budget to provide care for 20 youngsters aged two-and-a-half to five.

It's first official day was a week last Tuesday, but freezing weather and a scattering of snow scuppered the big day.

On Thursday, the next day the scheme was open, organisers were again disappointed when not one child or parent passed through the door.

Then, the following Tuesday, Julie said, the nursery was empty again.

"I could have cried on Tuesday morning. We have so much to offer the parents and the children."

Mums and dads pay just £1.25 for the two hour session at the playgroup, which is registered with social services and the Bradford Under Fives Association.

There are two trained members of staff and two helpers on hand waiting to get stuck in, said Julie.

She believes the service will be particularly useful to single parents who need to go out shopping or just fancy putting their feet up for an hour or so.

There are big plans for the nursery, with day trips on the cards for when the weather gets better and a move from their present site in St Margaret's Church Hall, Upper Rushton Road to the new Thornbury building once it is finished.

Julie is certain that once the word is spread, the 20 places will be booked up, as it is one of the few playgroups in the Thornbury area.

"There used to be a very popular one, but it had to close because of lack of funding. Well we have the funding, just not the children!

"We have advertised in shops and doctors surgeries, but we think that people simply haven't heard about us.

"We are printing up lots of adverts and are going to distribute them around the area. I think I might have to take out an advert in the Telegraph & Argus"

The playgroup operates between 9.30am and 11.30am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and is open to everyone.

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