AN independent school looks set to build a new nursery near where a child care centre closed last week.

Bosses at Oakhill College, Whalley, today revealed they were negotiating towards a purpose-built centre in Brockhall Village, in the wake of the closure of Elaine's Child Care Centre last week.

And developer Gerald Hitman, owner of the Brockhall Village development, said he hoped a deal would be tied up by the end of the week.

Oakhill College principal Phil Mahon said the school's interest in a new nursery came after parents with children who attended Elaine's were left without childcare when it closed without notice last Monday night.

Mrs Elaine Eastham, who continues to run Elaine's School's Out and Holiday Club in Whalley, is currently pursuing a claim against another person for the alleged misappropriation of £100,000 from her accounts and was forced to close when she could not pay Tuesday's monthly wage bill.

Mr Mahon said: "A number of people have contacted us following the closure of Elaine's as those who work are desperate to find something quickly.

"We have taken some children on at our nursery Acorns but as we can only cater for 40 children we cannot take them all."

Mr Mahon said a group of representatives had visited Brockhall village and inspected the site but felt the current building was inadequate. He said: "We don't think the premises are quite good enough and, although we may be prepared to take on Elaine's current premises temporarily, in the long term we will be talking to developers about building something new.

"I'm not sure of the current situation regarding Mrs Eastham, Brockhall Village, the local authority or the licence on the premises - so that will have to be sorted out first.

"But I understand a new building could be up and running within six months and if that is the case we are eager to move in as soon as we can."

Mr Hitman, who mounted a failed bid to reopen the nursery himself earlier this week, said: "I am currently in negotiations with Oakhill College about the construction of a purpose-built nursery department for them here.

"Representatives of the college inspected the premises of Elaine's Child Care Centre but decided they would require a new building to provide an appropriate standard of care and education."

Mr Hitman, who was today due to meet Mr Mahon and chairman of governors Tony Baron, added: "I hope a deal will be tied up by the end of the week."

Mr Hitman added he had received a number of enquiries from other parties for purpose built nursery accommodation, including another local independent school.

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