A PETITION has been started to protest the imminent closure of an Oxford preschool.

As revealed in yesterday's Oxford Mail, St Clement's Pre-School in Cross Street will close in mid December due to funding challenges and a lack of volunteers.

READ AGAIN: St Clement's Pre-School in Oxford to close

St Clement's mother-of-two Rebecca Komene, whose four-year-old daughter Scarlett attends the preschool, has now started an online movement calling for a further period of consultation involving families and the community.

An extract from the petition, addressed to the Bishop of Oxford, states: "We ask you to consider the impact this decision will have on the local community, particularly given the oversubscription and closure of other early years settings across the city and the discretionary funds you have at your disposal for this very purpose.

"On balance we feel the impact closure will have on the staff and children of St Clement's Church Pre-school and the wider community within the parish, including those children who hope to attend in the future, heavily outweighs any period of financial uncertainty while a more effective structure is put in place.

"We strongly urge you to reconsider the decision of the PCC (Parochial Church Council)."