THE Urchins Tots to Teens group is looking for a new base

Expansion plans mean the group will outgrow its present home at Ledbury Community Hospital after just one year.

The group wants to provide a nursery for babies, following requests from parents.

There is no more space at the hospital, which the group moved to from the youth centre.

Roz Jarrett, the Urchins administrator, said: "We will not be able to expand our services whilst here at the hospital, so we will be looking earnestly for a new home, one where we can offer junior club, gym club, and many of the leisure activities we are asked for."

Mrs Jarrett has written to Ledbury Town Council with the news that Urchins has started to apply for grants and intends to get a Lottery award, to facilitate a move.

Urchins is currently asking for letters of support for a new centre and the town council has been asked to consider adding its voice. A decision is likely to be taken at a council meeting on October 2.

In her letter, Mrs Jarrett revealed that Urchins had expressed interest in using the old cottage hospital off The Homend.

Mrs Jarrett said parents had responded positively to a suggested 'buy a brick' scheme.

But Urchins believe that, with developers the Miller Group about to buy it off the NHS, this is not likely.