A PLAYGOUP faces a bleak Christmas after being given three weeks to quit its regular meeting place. The Small Bears group, which meets in the former schoolroom at St John the Evangelist Church at The Brents, Faversham, has been told the building will be put up for auction on December 13.

A meeting of playgroup parents and residents is being held tonight (Wednesday) to discuss ways of keeping it open. Bill Reeves, the group's chairman, said: "Where are we going to go? This is the only play scheme of its kind in the area and it meets a vital need. It is open five mornings a week and there are 17 names on the waiting list.

"Twelve of the children it looks after come into the special needs category. A speech therapist holds two sessions a week to help them. Where are those sessions going to be held if we have to get out?"

Mr Reeves said the hall was valuable asset and he was sure the Brents' community would join a campaign to keep it open.

Built in the 1880s, the building next to St John's has always been managed by a separate trust. The church was declared redundant a year ago. The hall is expected to fetch between £75,000-£85,000 at auction and it could be some months before the sale in completed.

The Rev Ian Black, Priest in Charge of The Brents and Davington with Oare and Luddenham, and chairman of the trust said there was no other option. "For the past two years we have been trying to find someone to lease the building with the proviso that the community use continues. This has not been successful and after taking professional advice we have no option but to dispose of it at auction."