A VITAL support for Cowdenbeath families has announced plans to close this week.

The town's after school club will stop running on Friday, September 9, due to issues securing accommodation and funding.

The news was announced on social media, with a member of the team commenting that it was "heartbreaking" to see the service end.

Parents also noted their surprise, with some saying that the statement was "devastating" for the community.

The post read: "From Friday, September 9, we will no longer be in a position to run the club.

"The reasons are as follows; the accommodation we are currently using, Cowdenbeath Primary School, will not be available to us and we have been unable to secure an alternative; due to extenuating circumstances we have been unable to apply for any grants to support the club, leaving us with insufficient funds to continue running.

"We appreciate that there is a great demand for the services of the club and to that end we intend to contact Fife Council explaining our position and hope to be able to come up with a solution in the near future."

Councillor Darren Watt, who represents the Cowdenbeath ward, said that the programme would be a "huge loss" in the area.

"It comes part and parcel in the community," he told the Times.

"People rely on it: nurses, council workers, school staff, and it is with such short notice.

"I am not able to offer any assurances and until I have a clearer idea it is difficult to make enquiries."

Cllr Watt said that he had been in touch with the club to find out more about the situation, and what could be done to keep the service open.

"If it's about finding a venue, we're not short of those in Cowdenbeath," he said.

"If it's volunteers that can be difficult, if that's part of it then that will need to be addressed."

Fife Council have also said that they would look into supporting the continuation of the club.

Gary Peattie, team manager for childcare services, explained that Cowdenbeath after of school club is a privately-run service that has been operating from the primary school for the last few years.

He added: "This is not a council-run service but we are aware of the situation and the club's intention to close.

"We are in contact with the club and have offered our support and help as they look for alternative accommodation."