A NURSERY which has to move to make way for a £30.5m college redevelopment is still on a knife edge about its future.

Abingdon and Witney College confirmed it was sticking to its July 4 deadline for the Abacus nursery to be off its Witney campus site.

Owners Olivia Hill and Clair Taylor asked for a two-week extension to the end of the school term on July 18.

Steve Bilcliffe, college director of development, said: "We have spoken to our main contractors, Leadbitter, and they say they cannot delay demolition.

"The schedule is tight so that temporary accommodation can be in place for students when they return after the summer holidays."

Abacus, which has been on the college site since it started nine years ago, has no alternative home for its 85 children, aged up to five.

Louise Chapman, the county's cabinet member for children and young families, met the nursery owners last Tuesday.

She said: "So many people want Abacus to continue.

"A very interrim solution is to find accommodation at a local school during the summer holidays.

"But we are also looking beyond that.

"The two weeks from July 4 to 18 are, however, a problem and a solution needs to be found."

Ms Hill said: "Time isn't on our side. Everyone is trying the best they can, but things are on a knife egde.

"If we have to close, the hope is that we would resurface somewhere else soon."