A PRE-school in Abingdon has been saved from closure after parents came forward to join the committee which runs it.

Riverside Pre-School, in Cotman Close, has been helping 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 Oxfordshire County Council, is a registered charity and by law must have the key positions filled to operate.

Last week, three parents from Abingdon stepped forward to save the day.

Martin Biddell, 48, is the pre-school’s new chairman, Rachel Lewis, 26, its treasurer, and Nina Engleby, 29, is secretary.

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

“They have saved the school. I’m really pleased.”

The trio stepped in after hearing about the pre-school’s plight in the Oxford Mail.

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.

Its treasurer stepped down in June, while the chairman and secretary announced 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, who start 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 it had vacancies for new children starting 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 committee is also made up of six other members.

To find out more about the pre-school call 01235 531670 or email admin@riversidepreschool.org.uk