An Oxford preschool is desperate to recruit more staff to cope with a 30 per cent rise in pupils.

Cherry Tree Preschool, based at Headington Community Centre in Gladstone Road, Oxford, has secured funding for extra staff from Oxfordshire County Council.

But it cannot find anyone to fill the vacancies.

The charity is hunting for two extra assistants for special needs pupils and it also needs an extra member of staff to cover sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Parents have volunteered to cover the first week of term which starts on Monday but the preschool is looking for permanent cover.

A lack of funds means the group cannot afford to advertise the positions and relies on parents and putting up posters in local schools.

No qualifications are needed and training is given for anyone who takes up the position.

The playgroup has two-and-a-half-hour sessions every morning during term time.

Last term there were between 18 and 20 pupils but when the Cherry Trees opens this term there will be an extra four pupils with special needs.

Tanya Field, chairman of the preschool, said that if her normal method of recruiting staff - asking parents - did not work, she was planning to ask local headteachers whether they could put her in touch with classroom assistants they had interviewed but not employed.

She added: "We are desperate for staff for next term. This is the first time we have had this many pupils for many years. We are a success story really. We have a fun atmosphere."

Anyone interested in working at the preschool should call 01865 765557.