A pregnancy crisis centre in Chippenham has been forced to stay in its tiny church hall office despite raising £5,000 for a lease on a bigger building.

The Kauri Centre, formerly the Chippenham Pregnancy Crisis Centre, had raised the money as a year's deposit on a new office in the town centre.

However, just days before the lease was due to be signed, the owner pulled out of the deal claiming he wanted a business to move into the space, not a charity.

The crisis team of 13 volunteers will now have to stay in their office in the Central Methodist Church on Monkton Hill.

Administrator for the charity Rachel Neate, said: "We couldn't believe we were turned away after the lease had been drawn up.

"The owner said that he needed to know there would be a steady income for us to pay the rent on time each month.

"It took us ages to raise the year's rent as a deposit and to be let down after all the hard work is really disappointing.

"The church have been brilliant to us but it was only ever meant to be a temporary arrangement and we have already been there for nearly three years."

The centre provides free and confidential advice to women who have questions about unexpected or unwanted pregnancies or abortion procedures.

The centre was set up in 2003 by mums Tara Sinclair and Sue Richards who ran the mothers and toddlers group on Station Hill.

Mrs Neate said: "We will just have to pick ourselves up and carry on searching for another premises.

"If anyone knows of any premises which would be suitable please contact us with more information."

Anyone wishing to contact the crisis centre can do so by calling 01249 445992 or emailing Chippenham@careconfidential.com.