A LONG-ESTABLISHED playgroup based at Haydon Bridge’s doomed fire station is battling to secure its own future.

Haydon Bridge Playgroup and Tiny Tots caters for dozens of pre-school age children. But the fire station is set to close in the autumn as a result of cost-cutting measures by Northumberland County Council.

No decisions have yet been made on what will happen to the site, on Station Road, but parish councillors expressed fears last month that it could be sold off for housing.

The playgroup has been active in the village for about 25 years, and is run by local people, with the support of Sure Start Western Tynedale.

Treasurer Lucy Fraser said it is seeking alternative premises, with the community centre, on Ratcliffe Road, identified as a possible venue.

But she said any move was dependent on rent arrangements, and whether the group could generate sufficient funds.

Proceeds from Haydon Bridge’s summer duck race provide an annual cash boost, while other funding streams are also pursued to keep the group going.

At a meeting of Haydon Parish Council, members expressed their frustration that the fire station’s closure would impact upon children’s services. Coun. Simon Walker said: “The playgroup and tiny tots has been a very successful place for young mums in the village. It’s a place where friendships are formed and support is given.

“Now the whole idea of collective childcare has been wiped out. I fear that the county council is going to sell off that site.”

Coun. Jo Thompson suggested that playgroup representatives should be invited to the next meeting, on July 28, to discuss the situation.

Parish councillors are determined to ensure the community has a say over the future of the fire station site.

There has even been talk of the building being adopted by the community, just like the village’s library was a decade ago.

But while several possible uses have been discussed by parish councillors, Peter Fletcher, chairman of the Haydon Bridge Development Trust, warned that any community takeover must be viable.

A Northumberland County Council spokesman said: “We have said that we would be happy to consider proposals for community use of the site.

“However, in the current economic climate we need to ensure that the council is maximising the potential of all its land and buildings.

“We would also need to be sure that there was significant benefit to a community that existing assets cannot provide, and that the community could meet financial liabilities.”