An "outstanding" Witney nursery has had to shut, despite eleventh hour attempts to find it a new home.

Parents said they felt let down by the closure of Abacus, with many having to scramble to make alternative arrangements for their children.

According to Olivia Hill, one of the partners who ran the nursery for eight years at the Abingdon & Witney College campus, others were still struggling to find places.

Kate O'Hare, a marketing manager for a software company, was sending Sophie, aged 19 months, to Abacus three times a week.

She said: "It's devastating. We have managed to get a childminder, but there are others who are desperate to find care.

"It's a real shame. Even if Abacus were eventually to find somewhere to reopen, people will have made alternative arrangements and won't want to unsettle their children again. Witney has lost an outstanding nursery."

The end came last week as bulldozers moved on to the college site to start work on a £30m redevelopment of the campus.

Abacus had been there since 1999, with some of its places going to children of staff and students. But the college said it no longer had room for it and gave notice a year ago.

Ms Hill, who ran Abacus with business partner Claire Taylor, said: "We have closed the accounts. If it is to start again, it would be from scratch, but we still have the same problem - we simply can't find premises big enough and suitable enough.

"We do feel let down. We did everything we physically could.

"I appreciate we're not a charity, but we had set a high standard, getting an outstanding Ofsted report earlier this year. It's a great loss to Witney."

The nursery had more than 80 children on its books, with places each day for 48 youngsters.

The last hope for the owners, their 12 staff and parents fell through as the deadline approached and plans for a short-term home collapsed.

Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council tried to rush through arrangements for a temporary home at the Gordon's Way sports ground.

But the earliest planning permission could be gained was in January next year and the owners decided to call it a day.

Louise Chapman, the county council cabinet member for children and young families, who was spearheading the joint council approach, was unavailable for comment.