AN Abingdon pre-school has been saved from closure after parents stepped forward to help run it.

Riverside Pre-school, in Cotman Close, has helped youngsters with speech and language problems for more than 40 years.

But this summer it needed to find a chairman, secretary and treasurer by the start of the autumn term — or face closure.

The pre-school, which is run by a committee of volunteers and receives no money from the county council, is a registered charity and by law must have the key positions filled to operate.

Three parents from Abingdon stepped into the breach.

Martin Biddell, 48, is the new chairman, Rachel Lewis, 26, the new treasurer, and Nina Engleby, 29, wil be the new secretary.

Pre-school supervisor Doreen Brauer said: “It’s wonderful news. It means we can open in September.

“They have saved the school. I am really pleased.”

Mrs Brauer, 34, who joined the school in February, said: “We had a huge response from parents who had seen the article in the paper.

“Many were unaware of our situation and were happy to help.”

The pre-school has 35 children attending classes on a full- or part-time basis.

The previous treasurer stepped down in June, and the chairman and secretary both announced that they would be leaving in September.

New chairman Mr Biddell, whose three-year-old son Matty attended the pre-school, said: “Matty came on leaps and bounds when he was at Riverside.

“It is a lovely school and I wanted to give something back.

“I just want the school to carry on and not be in this position again.”

Miss Lewis has two children, Paige and Bleay Prior, starting at the school next month.

She said: “It’s been there for 41 years. It’s a good local community school and it seemed such a shame to see it close.”

Mrs Engleby, whose son Oliver, two, attends the school, said there were vacancies for new children to start in the autumn.

She said: “Oliver’s social skills have come on so much. He really loves going to school. To have it close was really not an option.”

The pre-school committee also includes six other members. Further information on the pre-school is available by calling 01235 531670.