A popular before and after school club has been saved from the axe after finding a new home.

The Dashwood Out of School Care Club has reopened in The Dupuis Centre at St John The Evangelist Church in Dashwood Road, Banbury.

Managers feared the 13-year-old club would have to close after being told last year it would have to leave Dashwood School by early April.

The school said space was needed to provide a classroom rather than a play-based environment, to meet demands from school inspectors.

Manager Dawn Cothier said the move had saved the club.

Of the new venue she said: “It is perfect for parents to collect their children.

“It is central so it will be a lot more convenient for them.”

The club, which has 65 families on its books, feared it would not be able to find a venue as cheap to rent as the school site.

But Mrs Cothier said the church had matched its old rent.

She added: “We have two rooms, a garden and kitchen, it has everything we need at a really reasonable price.”

Father Mervyn Tower said: “We are very happy we are able to accommodate them and they have found a home.”