A Cradley Heath nursery is facing the chop as Sandwell's education troubles worsen.

The possible closure will leave parents in the town stranded - with no other full-time places for youngsters in council nurseries nearby.

Top council education officials claim Timbertree Nursery School, Graingers Lane, is draining Timbertree Primary School's precious resources, leaving it struggling to stay out of the red.

The News reported last year how primary schools across the town - including Reddal Hill Primary, Old Hill Primary and Corngreaves Primary - were seeing a drop in numbers and now nearby Timbertree is also joining their troubled ranks.

Furious parent Carol Attewell, whose two children both attended the nursery, said parents were told in the summer the full-time places they had been promised had been downgraded to only part-time.

She added: "Staff morale at the nursery and school is low.

"They don't know whether their jobs are secure or not and some of them have been there for years.

"It's a fantastic nursery - my son came out knowing so much and both my children always had a cooked meal there."

She said: "A couple of years ago, they knocked down some garages at the main school site and there were plans to build a nursery there, but now we are being told there is not enough money for it.

"We are all in uproar. It's the worst thing that could happen.

"This is a nursery for the community of Cradley Heath and there just won't be one anymore."

Sandwell's cabinet member for schools and lifelong learning, Councillor Ian Jones, said: "We are looking to support Timbertree Primary School in its efforts to reduce its deficit budget.

"We are considering a number of options in relation to the future of its nursery which is a stand-alone unit half a mile from the school presently taking up arguably a disproportionate amount of the school's finances.

"Should closure of the nursery emerge as the best option, we will, of course, carry out a full consultation before making any final decision.

"Part of that consultation will include plans to ensure there are places available at other local nurseries for Timbertree children."

He added the matter would be considered at his Cabinet Advisory Team meeting on Monday November 20.

The nursery officially became part of Timbertree Primary School five years ago and was formerly Cradley Heath Nursery.

What do you think of the possible closure of Timbertree Nursery? Send letters to our address on page four or send an email natalie.fahy@midlands.newsquest.co.uk