A LEYLAND after-school club is set to shut after six years leaving mothers with no one to look after their children.

Broadfield playscheme cares for 30 to 40 children at St Mary's RC Primary School, in Haig Avenue, where the club runs from 3pm-5.30pm on weekdays. At £4 per evening most working mothers can afford it.

The headteacher there, Mrs Eileen McNamara, came to the rescue a year ago when the scheme was unable to find premises, but it was only a temporary solution as the school also provides a second home to the Brownies, Guides and other clubs.

Now some parents of the children may have to give up work if the closure goes ahead.

Helen Riley, 35, of Rothwell Court, Leyland, works as a shop assistant at Iceland. Her eldest sons Nicholas, 13 and Thomas, 12, both enjoyed their time at Broadfield and now their younger brother Joseph, five, is making his mark. "I really do rely on this club -- I'm going to have to pack up work if nothing gets sorted.

"The only other option is to swap Joseph's school, and that would be a huge upheaval."

Helen and her husband Andrew have written to OFSTED, the school's inspectorate, to find replacement childcare, but to no avail.

"Finding a childminder you trust is hard enough, but then to afford one -- the prices are very high and there would be no point carrying on working. It really isn't an incentive to get mums back to work."

Helen said the girls at Broadfield are fantastic, the children love it and all they need is a new location.

Samantha Barker, supervisor at the club, said: "We have looked for other premises like church halls and schools, but we run five days a week and it is a commitment that many places cannot take on. We are really grateful to St Mary's as they have helped us out but we will have to close if we can't find anything." To help out call Samantha on 495460.