PARENTS, staff and residents are backing a borough pre-school after Thurrock Council announced it plans to double its rent.

The cash-strapped council delivered the shocking news of a 120 per cent price rise to Aveley Pre-school, which is based within Aveley Children's Centre on Stifford Road.

The rise, say pre-school managers, threatened its future after it served the local community for more than 30 years.

A petition calling on the council to review the decision has been launched and has already attracted large support and considerable comment on local social media.

You can sign the petition online via this link.

Ward councillor Jacqui Maney is supporting the pre-school and has been helping collect signatures on a physical petition.

She said: "Just to reassure people. I have been working with the pre school (Helen and Anne) very closely for a while now and I have raised lots of issues with the relevant director. I am in the process of arranging a meeting at the Civic Offices and I will do all I can to get a successful resolution."

However, the council appears in no rush to try and seek a compromise, saying: "The council is in contact with Aveley Pre-School and a face-to-face meeting to discuss the matter will take place between them and senior councillors and officers on Monday, 5 February."

A statement from the pre-school says: "We are under threat of closure! As we are completely community-based and non-profit making, the majority of our income is from government funding, which makes this increase unachievable while funding rates remain so low.

"We are calling on families past, present and future to support us to ensure we can continue to offer the families of Aveley and the surrounding area, childcare, early years education and the unique family environment that we pride ourselves on."