A club which provides childcare after school and in the holidays is in desperate need of a new venue.

Orca Kids Club has been running at Nailsea School for the past 18 years, but due to an increase in pupil numbers the latter no longer has space to accommodate it.

The club’s lease ends on July 23 and unless a new venue is found, there will be no summer club this year.

Parents say they are ‘devastated’ as they rely on the club to enable them to work.

Becky Harrison has two children, aged six and nine, who attend the club.

She said: “This will have a massive impact on us because we have got no family network around and we use it every week – three days a week – and in the holidays.

“The impact this is going to have on local families is catastrophic.

“I won’t be able to do the job that I do.

“It’s devastating. It’s invaluable to parents.”

Orca Kids Club has 180 children on its books and staff pick up pupils from four schools and look after them until their parents finish work.

A spokesman from Nailsea School said: “It’s such a shame our partnership with Orca has had to end, we have been proud to be able to support our families by providing a safe and affordable space for Orca’s childcare.

“However, we are growing as a school and need to relinquish the space that Orca use.

“We have been working with the council to help try and re-house Orca. We hope the club continues to thrive in its new setting.”

Owner Chantelle Vela is determined to keep the kids club open and is desperate to find a new venue in Nailsea.

She said: “Backwell School has offered us space but Nailsea would be the best place.

“At the moment we pick up from four schools and walk them back to Nailsea School. If we went to Backwell we would have to look at getting one or two coaches which is going to have implications.

“Nailsea School has been the perfect premises and we are very sad to leave.

“The parents are extremely worried – a lot of them wouldn’t be able to work because there’s nowhere else they can go.

“We would really like to carry on going because it’s really good for the community in Nailsea.”

Chantelle is keen to hear from anyone who knows of an alternative venue and can be contacted on 07742 149254 or orcakidsnailsea@gmail.com