A LONG established playgroup which was forced to move out of Haydon Bridge’s doomed fire station has found a new home.

Haydon Bridge Playgroup and Tiny Tots will begin a new chapter at the village’s community centre today.

An upstairs room at the facility has been redecorated and equipped to meet the needs of the group, which caters for more than a dozen pre-school age children each week.

The group’s future appeared uncertain back in April, when Northumberland County Council announced the village fire station would close in October.

But this week, the group’s Nicola Grint said the local community has rallied round in support.

Haydon Bridge’s Shaftoe Trust charity has provided a £1,000 donation, and will also help with the payment of rent for the premises.

The playgroup has also benefited from £1,200 raised during the village’s duck race, while local county councillor Alan Sharp has contributed £250 from his council member’s allowance.

Nicola said: “We’ve had a lot of support and this shows how important the playgroup is for Haydon Bridge. We’ve had the new room decorated and kitted out, and we’re ready to go again.”

Previously the playgroup ran on two days per week. For now, it will be open on Fridays only, until the end of October, when it will go back to two days per week.

Haydon Bridge Playgroup will run from 9.15am to 11.15am on Fridays.

In addition, the village’s mother and toddler group, which runs alongside the playgroup, will also run from the community centre, on Tuesdays from 9.15am to 11am.

Anyone wanting more information about both groups, should call Nicola on 07879 999 289.