A Kendal primary school has been asked if a new children's centre for under-fives could be set up in its grounds as fears persist that South Lakeland's only Cumbria County Council-run nursery will close.

The new head teacher of St Thomas' CE Primary School, on Kendal Green, Tim Westwood, said his school was tapped up' by CCC just before he took his post.

Mr Westwood said: "They approached the acting head to see if there was a possibility that a children's centre could be started in our grounds."

The approach came as CCC made a review of nursery education across Cumbria and news broke that the Government is to provide funds for children's centres in disadvantaged areas, including Kendal's Hallgarth, which will tie together education, childcare and other services.

Kendal Nursery, on Queen's Road, which is also known as Brantfield, is South Lakeland's only CCC-run nursery school.

There are five other county-maintained nursery schools in Cumbria: Bram Longstaffe and Hindpool, in Barrow; Cleator Moor; Frizington; and Park View, in Millom.

Brantfield staff and parents are worried the review, and possible foundation of a new children's centre, will mean it has to close.

CCC spokesman Justin Hawkins said: "Brantfield is not under threat any more than any other place of its kind in the county.

"No one needs to start panicking about whether we are going to close this or that place."

He said it was still too early in the process to even discuss the shape of the county's options for the future and even too early for a date to be set when conclusions might be reached.

Acting head teacher Veronica Broyd was keen to remind parents they were open for business: "There are an awful lot of rumours around the town but, regardless of the fact that the review is ongoing, we will definitely be here until 2006, whatever happens."

She encouraged anyone worried about the school to either write to The Westmorland Gazette or pass on their views to their county councillor.

Mr Westwood said that if Brantfield were to close it would have a direct impact on his school as it would cause disruption to parents with children at both schools and unsettle the youngsters.

"We need to know what their plans are," he said. "We would like some answers."

Both head teachers said parents had approached them asking for answers and Mr Westwood said: "It's not fair on the staff and it's not fair on the parents because they don't know where their children will be going.

"Children only get one chance of going to nursery. They only get one chance at junior and secondary. We need to get it right first time, every time."