Parents say they have been left in the lurch after a Surbiton nursery was ordered to pack up and move out.

Tinies Nursery, in South Bank, runs out of a building owned by Hillcroft College. The college told the nursery's managers at the end of March that they must leave by July 31.

The college said the move was necessary for financial reasons.

One parent said: "Finding anywhere to house 20 or 30 kids in a four-month period is almost impossible.

"I don't think any of the parents can argue with the business decision behind it, it's more the timesecale and the way it's been done.

"A nursery is opening up in Surbiton near the fire station. It's fortuitous that it opened, but if that wasn't the case we'd be up a creek.

"There's not enough places for the kids in the area, and a waiting list for kids under two."

He added: "The [Tinies] staff are really good. All the parents feel like that."

A Tinies representative said: "The decision to close the nursery has come as a great shock and disappointment to us all.

“Tinies have been working hard to find suitable solutions for the parents. We are also investigating opportunities to stay locally.

“The staff are being well supported by Tinies management on all matters related to the closure. We are very sad that our children are having to move on and hope to stay in contact."

A Hillcroft College spokeswoman said: "We understand that the Tinies nursery has been welcomed by local parents but given our limited funding and availability of accessible space, the college needs to focus on its core activity of providing adult learning for women over 19.

"The college will use [the building] as additional, accessible classroom space."