PARENTS of more than 70 children have been told their nursery is to close within months.

Tang Hall Squirrels, based at Tang Hall primary school, is set to close on June 18, after the charitable committee which runs it said it was not financially viable.

The news was delivered in a letter from City of York Council and has left parents desperately trying to find alternative care.

Shona Hodgson, of Burnholme Avenue, who has three children who use the nursery, said: “The team work really hard and provide an amazing service before and after school, as well as during the holidays.

“They’ve been doing a fantastic job for 13 years, and they look after so many children it’s outrageous to close them down.

“Lots of the parents at the nursery gates weren’t even aware of the closure, because they hadn’t seen the letter yet.”

The Press understands the news came as a shock to staff as well as parents, but nobody from the nursery was available to comment.

Four staff look likely to lose their jobs.

One parent who did not wish to be identified said they believed the committee that made the decision contained several parents whose children used the facility.

Tang Hall Squirrels looks after 26 children at one time, but the number using the facility on separate days is thought to be more than 70.