PARENTS have raised concerns that a “lifeline” after-school club may close after a church in Grays nearly doubled its hall prices.

A petition has also been launched by Keeley Bond and Vikki Ginsburgh, managers of Darlin Buds Out of School Club, based at St Cedd’s Church, in Crammavill Street, Stifford Clays, after rates were raised from £6 an hour to about £11.

Keeley and Vikki have been unable to pay the extra charges, which have led to their monthly bills soaring from £340 to about £680.

Worried parent Terri Davis, 46, of Hogarth Road, Stifford Clays, whose seven-year-old son Ryan goes to the club, said she may have to give up her job if the club has to raise fees.

Mother-of-two Miss Davis said: “My son goes to Stifford Clays Infant School and he gets picked up from school and walked to the club by the girls, it is such a good service.

“He has been going there for two years and if they have to raise the fees or close I might have to quit my job.

“It will have huge repercussions on me and many other parents.

“I currently pay £65 a week to send Ryan to the breakfast club and after school club, I could not afford much more.”

Meanwhile Keeley Bond said: “We were getting a really cheap rate at the hall and in September the price jumped 100 per cent.

“We have not been able to pay the rise because we don’t make enough money. I have even offered my books to the church to see we don’t make any profit.

“We don’t want to give up the group without a fight, but we don’t have anywhereelse close by in Stifford Clays we could use.

“We are currently in talks with the church on this situation, but we all think it is unfair.”

Andy Higgs, rector at St Cedd’s Church, said: “We are really sorry it has been necessary to increase the hire charge of our parish hall.

“Unfortunately the current rate of £6 an hour is simply not enough to cover the ever increasing cost of heating, lighting, cleaning and maintenance of the building.

“It is precisely because we understand the importance of the children’s groups using the hall that we kept their hire at a reduced rate.

“We are now in the position of having to raise their charges to something more realistic, but which is still cheaper than other halls in the area.”