A much-loved pre-school is set to close its doors permanently this year following a drop in the number of children attending.

Rochford Pre-School in Rochford Avenue Pavillion, Waltham Abbey, will be closing this summer after seeing the amount of children sign up to attend the school in September drop significantly in comparison to previous years.

The school, which in its last OFSTED report was praised for well-behaved children, engaging staff and strong bonds between staff and youngsters, first opened in the town in 2011.

Pre-school manager, Kerry Tombs, said: "We just haven't got enough children to keep it going.

"Financially we just cannot afford to keep it going any longer.

"We have enjoyed every single minute we have been here and I wouldn't change it for the world.

"I have loved my time here and even now I still keep in contact with older children who have left.

"We have really felt part of the Waltham Abbey community and I am gutted to be letting the school go.

"We have been helping the parents of the new starters to find new pre-schools and recommended some nurseries.

"It is just one of those things, but we are gutted."