CHAOTIC scenes greeted the shock announcement that a Penketh nursery was closing on Wednesday night.

Bewildered parents arrived at First Steps Nursery, in Stocks Lane, to be told that manager Carol Copoc had resigned and the kindergarten was being shut with immediate effect.

Mum Sheila Townley-Wells, aged 34, of Shipton Close, Westbrook, whose three-year-old daughter Hannah attends the nursery said children were crying and staff were extremely upset by the surprise news.

"Parents are worried sick now that they will have no-one to look after their children," she said.

Around 150 children are estimated to have used the nursery, which also offered after school and breakfast clubs.

Carol Copoc, a First Steps director and who founded the nursery in 1989, confirmed she had resigned because of "interference" in the running on the establishment by fellow directors and felt she could not continue.

She also said she was seeking legal advice and may be pursuing a case for constructive dismissal against the company.

Speaking to This Is Warrington today, Thursday, fellow First Steps director Dr Khalid Laghari said the nursery was legally required to have an Ofsted registered childminder on the premises and so had been forced to close.

He said he regretted the inconvenience caused to parents and that staff had lost their jobs.

"Hopefully we can reapply for a licence and reopen the nursery soon," added Dr Laghari.