THE only full-time holiday camp in Alresford and the surrounding area has closed.

Perins Fun Camp which is used by children in Alresford has shut down due to lack of numbers and because bosses said it was not financially viable.

The closure has worried councillors in the town who are concerned about the effect it could have on childcare provision.

Alresford Town Council chairman Lisa Griffiths, said: "I do not know where parents are going to go instead of Perins Fun Camp people have told me it is good value.

"I think it is a shame for those parents that need school holiday cover, they have nowhere else to go. I know there is a summer camp at St Swithun's but that’s more expensive.

She added that the council are looking at ways to keep Perins Summer Camp open, but say it will be tough to find a solution.

Ms Griffiths said:“We are looking to see if there’s any way that extra funding can be found. But due to council cuts its going to be very difficult.

“Maybe the only way it can operate in the future is for people to pay up front.”

Perins Fun Camp is based at Perins School in Alresford and runs during the school holidays and was open for school aged children from four to 11 years old.

Perins School business manager School Clive Surry explained the closure.

Mr Surry said:"After much deliberation and many years of supporting families in and around Alresford the difficult decision to close Fun Camp was made in light of reducing numbers. We have invested a huge amount of time and effort into Fun Camp, yet despite this we are still not seeing the numbers we need to make it financially viable."

"There are no plans to operate Fun Camp in the immediate future. We would however be very keen to talk with any organisation to discuss how we may support a similar offer to that provided by Fun Camp operating out of Perins School."