THE findings of a structural survey could lead to the eviction of a pre-school, a food bank and a Citizens Advice Bureau from their base in Wallingford.

Rainbow Pre-School has been using the recreational rooms at the Bull Croft park since 1974 but they are in need of repair.

The nursery's lease runs out in 2020 but the town council has now proposed that it leaves earlier - in the summer of 2019, together with the food bank, CAB and local bellringers.

However after parents packed out a town council meeting on Monday night, councillors agreed to defer their decision until December 3 so that the survey could be carried out, with the view to allowing the pre-school to stay longer than the food bank and CAB.

Pre-school manager Sheila Millett said: "This has left families feeling very anxious because we could end up homeless.

"The building is 77 years old and is in a bit of a state but it is our home and we don't want to let families down.

"This isn't just affecting us, it's the CAB, food bank and the bellringers' group who use it as well."

About 50 youngsters aged two to four attend the pre-school.

Ms Millett added: "Families come from Wallingford and from Cholsey and surrounding villages.

"The pre-school is run by the parents' committee, with support from the county council, and the committee will now be drawing up a plan of action."

Parents of children at the pre-school say they are alarmed by the proposals.

One said: "This will have a dramatic effect on staff, children and parents. There are not enough spaces at other childcare providers to cover the 50 or so places Rainbow offers, and with new developments being built in Wallingford it's not clear what the council expect working parents to do about childcare."

It is understood that town green legislation protecting the park off High Street and its buildings has prevented the building, a former Second World War canteen, from being updated.

Town mayor Lee Upcraft said before the meeting that initial advice from a structural engineer indicated it could cost £30,000 to £50,000 to keep the building open.

He added: "Lots of people in the community say we are only considering the finances but we have to be a responsible landlord and think about the safety of tenants - the work that is required is extensive."

Mr Upcraft added that the council would make every effort to find the pre-school and the other organisations alternative accommodation.

He said after the meeting: "Councillors suggested that it may be possible to keep one wing (of two) of the building open. This might enable the nursery to remain there for up to one year.

"We need to take further advice from a structural engineer and to understand the cost implications. We do not want leave the tenants with a further extended period of uncertainty and aim to complete this review urgently before taking it back to council on December 3."

Wallingford county councillor Lynda Atkins said: "The building was built during the war as a canteen for Canadian soldiers and I understand it needs significant renovation costing tens of thousands of pounds.

"It's a terrible shame that the pre-school, CAB and food bank could be made homeless - they all contribute a huge amount to the town. I am actively looking for solutions."

Neville Burt, who helps to run the food bank, said: "In effect we have been given notice from July and will need to find a new home."