Sussex Police were today investigating allegations children were physically mistreated at a nursery.

Happy Days, at Telscombe Cliffs, near Brighton, has been shut while Child Protection Team police, working with other agencies, carry out the inquiry.

It is understood there are two specific allegations - that a child was hit on the head with a paperback notebook and another was shouted at directly into an ear.

The closure upset parents suddenly left without cover for their children and some are acting as volunteers to run a children's drop-in centre.

East Sussex County Council social services have already carried out one inquiry into the nursery but a spokesman said the council would not disclose its findings.

Detective Inspector Martin Sapwell, of Sussex Police, said: "An allegation has been made concerning Happy Days and a joint agency investigation is being undertaken.

"The registration of the nursery has been temporarily suspended while the investigation is being conducted."

Nursery school registration is the responsibility of the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

A spokeswoman said Ofsted would not discuss specific cases.

She said: "Ofsted looks into all concerns that suggest a nursery or daycare setting is not meeting the national standards.

"Details of investigations are a matter between Ofsted, the nursery and the parents and children concerned.

"If parents with children at the nursery want more information they can contact Ofsted directly on 0845 601 4771."

Meanwhile, some friends and parents of children at the nursery have rallied behind the owner-manager of Happy Days, Joan Bhavnani, who has been running nurseries for more than 30 years.

Mrs Bhavnani, of Lincoln Avenue, Peacehaven, told The Argus: "It is nothing to do with you. I have nothing to say. Thank you."

But one supporter of the nursery said: "Nearly 60 children go to Happy Days and I have never known anything untoward happen there. Children are very well looked after and cared for.

"I think this may be something malicious and vindictive against the nursery."

The closure left parents without cover just before Christmas, when many are working longer hours.

Some are running a drop-in centre for children at the venue where Happy Days operated, Telscombe Parish Hall, in Tyedean Road.

Councillor Marina Pepper, mayor of Telscombe, took in 30 children for one day at the civic centre.

She said: "There's a Blitz spirit in the community and it is all hands to the pumps.

"We took in 30 children at the civic centre and they helped us put up Christmas decorations.

"Parents, madam clerk and the caretaker all helped and we sang carols.

"Some mothers have organised a drop-in centre at the parish hall and they obtained all the proper authority from the various agencies.

"The closure caused appalling problems for mums and dads."

Happy Days cares for children aged two to five all week. Its last Ofsted inspection, earlier this year, rated it as "good".

It concluded: "The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals."

Happy Days in Telscombe Cliffs has no connection with any other Happy Days nurseries, day care centres or schools.