A VANDAL-plagued play group in Brandlesholme, Bury, may have to close - just weeks after yobs forced the community centre to shut its doors.

Now play group organisers fear for the future of Play-Away, a pre-school group which has cared for youngsters for more than 10 years, after vandals tried to burn down the building.

The arson attack came just days after Mrs Donna Hayward, treasurer of the Branndlesholme Community Centre, said she was giving up her lone battle against the vandals and burglars.

Mrs Margaret Kirby, play group leader, said: "Windows are smashed as soon as they are replaced, and the fence surrounding the centre is deliberately cut.

"The attacks started around four weeks ago. The most serious came during the Easter break when vandals made a hole in the play group's cabin wall and tried to start a fire inside. I was called out three times during the day and evening over Easter by the police and security because of attacks on the centre," said Mrs Kirby

The play group, based in the grounds of Brandlesholme CP School, is the only pre-school centre in the community, with some 30 children aged two and three attending the non-profit making organisation.

"The children suffer because they cannot play out if the fencing has been cut or if there is glass on the floor," said Mrs Kirby.

"I have to come in early to clean up the rubbish they have left. It makes me very angry and I do not know what to expect next."

She has run the group for the past 10 years but warned that unless the attacks stopped the group would have to close.

Mrs Kirby added: "The group is well established and very popular with the children in the community. And we receive a lot of voluntary help.

"But we cannot keep replacing the windows, mending the fences and clearing up after the vandals when they cause damage. There is just not the money."

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