A RODBOURNE nursery sold off its possessions after shutting up shop following 40 years of service to the community. Staff at The Happy Hours Playgroup raised £300 by selling items such as a playground slide, a climbing frame, tables and a computer.

And with each sale at its base in the Community Centre in Jennings Street went the memories of thousands of children over four decades.

The playgroup has suffered dwindling numbers since the Even Swindon Infants School opened a nursery in 1999.

There were once as many as 70 registered children but numbers had dropped to just 20.

Supervisor Angela Ferris, 38, said they would lose money if the playgroup continued any longer.

She said: "It's very sad but we just haven't got enough children. We've lost more children every year and it has got harder and harder.

"I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. There's still lots of paperwork to sort through which will take a few weeks and then I'll start thinking about a new career after Christmas."

While Even Swindon Infants School gets an education authority grant, Happy Hours relied on government funding based on the number of children attending. Two full-time staff who have worked at the playgroup for six years have lost their jobs due to the closure.

And because Happy Hours is an independent registered charity they will receive no redundancy pay-off.

Angela said: "The money from the sale will go towards paying off outstanding debts, rent, and we have to pay back some cash to the council.

"Anything left over will serve as redundancy money."

The playgroup operated out of the Methodist Church in Rodbourne Road since 1960 but moved to Jennings Street 12 years ago.

Other items such as a trampoline, sand trays, powder paints and a toy phone box will be on offer at a car boot sale at Blunsdon Market on Sunday.

To find out more about the sale, call Angela on 07909 774857.