Almost 100 nursery places and 17 jobs are under threat unless a nursery in Telford can raise £100,000.

Trench Tots will lose its home at the Sutherland School if the merger with Wrockwardine Wood Arts College goes ahead.

The nursery has planning permission for a new home in nearby Furnace Lane but is struggling to raise the cash which it needs to pay to build it.

Manager Louise Hurcomb said: “The lease on the building runs out in 2013 and the council won’t renew it.

“We were going to be moving with the school but then the council said we would be too near the catchment for Oakengates Children’s Centre.

“Now we have got planning permission for land off Furnace Lane, but it’s a case of raising the money. The council isn’t giving anything towards it.

“The council and the government aren’t fulfilling pledge to provide more child care places.

“We are full, and we could accommodate the number twice over. Unless anyone steps up to help us we are not going to be here in a year and a half.”

She said council officers were talking to the nursery about where it could get funding but so far applications had drawn a blank.

A council spokesman said: “Telford & Wrekin Council is working with the Trench Tots nursery to review options in the event of the Sutherland Business and Enterprise College moving to a new site.

“One of these options includes assessing whether the lease can be extended to coincide with the school’s potential moving date.

“One reason for not relocating Trench Tots to the proposed new site is that there are already enough nursery places in the Oakengates area to meet local demand. However, there is a need for nursery provision to remain in Trench and Donnington.

“Telford & Wrekin Council will continue to work with Trench Tots to find an appropriate solution for its future.”

The nursery, which has a good Ofsted report, is run by a board of volunteers and employs 17 staff.

It has 44 places filled by between 80 and 100 children at any time, depending on how many attend full or part-time.

Parents and staff have already  raised £3,000. To help, call (01952) 273310.