Hundreds have backed a parent’s petition calling for a “much-loved” nursery school to be saved from closure.

Penrhyn Pre School, in Priory Court, Walthamstow, has been told by Waltham Forest council their centre may be shut down in 2019, under plans to move a host of services in the area to a "community hub".

However, parents have hit out at the decision, with one, Amy Goggins, launching a petition to keep the nursery open, which has attracted close to 400 signatures.

The petition states: "Our children’s much-loved nursery is under threat from developers.

"Right now, the nursery is facing demolition, jobs are at risk and children’s lives face huge disruption because of plans to build a multi-service hub.

"Please help us save the nursery from the bulldozers. If enough of us speak out against these poorly conceived proposals, the council will be forced to listen."

Penrhyn has provided nursery care to children from the same building since 1997. It currently has 60 children on its books and a two-year waiting list.

Waltham Forest council is exploring whether to move a number of services in the Priory Court area to a community hub, which it claims would provide better accessibility and improved facilities.

The nursery, a registered charity, is responsible for maintaining its council-owned property and carried out extensive renovation work costing thousands of pounds last year.

If the move to a new centre is confirmed, its contract with the council would be put out to tender, with others allowed to bid to take on childcare services.

Penrhyn’s assistant coordinator, Diane Leagas, said: "We were told by the council we would know what was happening by March, but we have not heard anything.

"It is nice to think that there are parents out there that care about us. Sometimes, you feel that when these things happen you are on your own.

"But, in fact, that has not been the case. There are people out there who appreciate what we are doing and they are willing to fight for us."

Plans for a community hub in Priory Court have been met with resistance from residents in the area.

The proposals would include the closure and demolition of nearby Higham Hill library, which is being resisted by a community campaign.

To view the petition, visit: change.org/p/waltham-forest-council-save-penrhyn-nursery.