Mothers are begging for help in a bid to save their children's Brighton pre-school from closure.

Meadowview Community Pre-School has run out of money and will have to close in a month if it fails to secure a financial lifeline.

The closure, which would leave more than 12 youngsters with nowhere to go, would be the latest community facility to be lost to residents of the East Brighton estate.

The pre-school has a waiting list for future terms but is suffering because not enough children are on its books.

Lisa Pearcey, a member of the pre-school's committee, said: "We had a fair amount in the bank at the beginning of September but we haven't had our places filled so the money we are getting in is not covering what is going out.

"At the moment, we can cover a month's wages for the staff but after that we will have no choice but to close.

"We have 18 places. Last July they were all filled but now we have just 12 or 13 on the books.

"It is partly because at the moment there are not as many children on the estate who are the right age for the pre-school.

"It is also because parents are now waiting until the term after their child is three so they can get a free place under the voucher system the Government has introduced.

"We have a waiting list to join but children have to be two-and-a-half before they start and they are still too young.

"We have been informed we can register as a charity and that will make it easier to receive funding but that could take up to three months.

"It looks like we are going to have to close if we can't get some urgent financial help.

"The group has been going for five years at the community centre here and it will be terrible if we lose it now.

"It's not long since the after-school club had to close after it went bankrupt. Soon there will be no facilities left in Meadowview."

Any businesses in the area who would like to help or any parents with inquiries can call 01273 709249.