AT LEAST three summer playschemes in the Tonbridge and Malling area will be axed because of a shortage of qualified staff.

Schemes in Larkfield, Ditton and Kings Hill have not been able to attract enough volunteers with the right qualifications under the Government's new child protection policies. The scheme at Eccles is also threatened.

The borough council cabinet has agreed to drop the schemes. As a result, children from Kings Hill will have to travel to West Malling or Leybourne and youngsters from Larkfield and Ditton will have to use schemes at Aylesford or Leybourne. Should the schem at Eccles also be axed, children will have to go to Burham unless a private partnership with a nursery or school can be agreed.

In Hadlow, a partnership scheme with Barnies Day Care Nursery, Stanford Lane, will replace the scheme held at Hadow Village Hall up until two years ago.