A NURSERY school must find new premises after Wrotham Parish Council decided to end its lease.

Little Gems, held in the cricket pavilion building at the top of the High Street for 20 years, must vacate the building by the end of July.

Council chairman Cllr Harry Rayner said at the meeting on February 3 that building work for a new pavilion building at the far end of the cricket ground could pose a danger to the children.

"It will almost be like holding a nursery on an industrial site," he said.

Cllr Pete Gillin said: "The important thing is to give the Montessori the maximum amount of notice we can."

Last month a financial disagreement between nursery owner Marianne Clarkson and the council was resolved at the 11th hour after she signed a new hire agreement for the pavilion.

Mrs Clarkson said she was not convinced of the reasons given for ending the lease.

However, she described the news as a "mixed blessing".

"It's not always easy sharing premises particularly with the Government having higher and higher expectations," she said.

She is already looking at new premises and hopes to keep the nursery in Wrotham or somewhere nearby.