A NEIGHBOURHOOD nursery is to close its doors after the constant threat of flooding became too much for its owner.

In December Rascals Day Nursery in south Ulverston will close its doors for the last time after 12 years in Lund Road.

The owner and manager of Rascals, Alex Mitton, 69, was devastated after making the decision to retire, but felt it was time to move on.

She said: "This summer there has been some heavy rainfall and I've been very worried. The Environment Agency cannot guarantee Rascals will be 100 per cent flood-proof.

"I've decided to retire and close Rascals, the worry every time it rains can be very stressful."

The staff have been told of the closure, and letters have been sent out to the parents of the children at the nursery.

Rascals has been flooded twice, and because of the constant risk, Mrs Mitton has been without insurance for three years.

Mrs Mitton has praised the work of the Environment Agency who conducted numerous studies and site surveys to understand the flooding risk near rascals.

She said: "They've been very good, they've done lots of surveys and investigated everywhere."

The cause of residents in south Ulverston has been championed by Councillor Andrew Butcher, most recently at a meeting of the town council.

During the meeting the council committed itself to putting pressure on Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council and the Environment Agency to provide a long-term plan to end flooding in the town.

Speaking about the closure of Rascals, Cllr Butcher said: "I honestly feel it is very sad that a business has to shut because of flooding issues. It has a knock-on effect on the staff, they will be losing their jobs when we are trying to promote employment in the area.

"My heart goes out to all of the people at Rascals."

Read about the council's pledge to fight for flood-hit residents of Ulverston.

At Rascals Mrs Mitton employs 16 members of staff, taking care of children aged between three months and four years.

She has worked in childcare since 1999 after she re-skilled herself, initially setting up in the Empress Hotel, before moving to the current site in 2004.

The nursery has already started making arrangements to help parents find alternative childcare, but this is no easy task - Rascals is the only private nursery in Ulverston.

Mrs Mitton said: "I wanted to help the parents, to give them time to find a new place. I wanted to help them get settled."

Struggling to hold back tears, Mrs Mitton said: "This is the close of a chapter for me. Because of my age, I feel it's time to go. I've had such happy times here."

Read more:

Find out about the last time south Ulverston was hit by flooding

A government plan to help flooded communities has been branded an "elastoplast."