STAFF at the Lakes Centre nursery were not thanked for their service, or even given advanced warning of the closure, the Warrington Guardian can reveal.

Parents were sent an email on Monday at 6.30pm, announcing that the nursery would be closing with immediate effect - citing an 'enormous increase in costs.'

One staff member has provided evidence that the employees of the Orford nursery were not given any warning in advance of the closure, and were not told that Monday would be their final day of work.

Warrington Guardian: The nursery had been in the community for around 20 years before its closureThe nursery had been in the community for around 20 years before its closure (Image: Newsquest)

Nicola Wright worked at the Lakes Centre nursery for nearly 16 years, and she claims that they were not allowed entry to the premises, despite arriving at a time specified by the owner.

She said: "We all arrived together and the owner would not allow us entry!

"Instead gave us pieces of paper to write down what we wanted, and she and her colleague scuttled about trying to find various items of ours."

In an email seen by the Warrington Guardian, the owner of the nursery - Amanda Herrington - did not thank staff members for their years of service, nor was the email addressed to employees by name.

Warrington Guardian: Nicola says that parents and staff were not able to enter the nursery itself, and were made to wait for half an hour in the foyerNicola says that parents and staff were not able to enter the nursery itself, and were made to wait for half an hour in the foyer (Image: Nicola Wright)

The email reads: "Dear staff member, 

"I'm very sad to say that as of today the Lakes Centre will be closing permanently.

"With the enormous increase in costs, we are not able to continue to run the nursery any longer."

The email goes on to detail times of when staff members could go to the nursery to collect any personal items.

The video below (the sound has been removed) shows the scene of staff at the nursery - Nicola says that staff were made to wait more than half an hour before their items were returned.

Nicola said: "All parents are furious and upset.

"They are so supportive of us staff and some waited around after their collection time today to see us and say their goodbyes.

"We were a big family and all been through a lot together."

Amanda Herrington owned the Lakes Centre nursery, and also owns Nature Garden and Rosebank nurseries - both in Lymm.

Mrs Harrington has been contacted for comment.