It is an anniversary year which should marked with celebrations and congratulations.

But instead, the Hethersett Ducklings Pre-School Playgroup is facing the devastating prosect of closure - exactly 50 years after it was founded.

The group is based at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School and caters for 35 two-and-a-half to five-year-olds.

But it will be unable to continue unless a new chairman and treasurer are found for its committee.

Vicky McGranachan, the group's secretary, said it would be tragic if Ducklings had to close.

Mrs McGranachan said: 'Due to changes in personal circumstances, our chair and treasurer cannot fulfil those roles anymore.

'But we are a charity playgroup and as such we have to have a committee, so without people in those roles, we won't be able to continue.

'It would be a real shame if we had to close in our 50th year.'

Mrs McGranachan said any new volunteers would have dedicate 'a couple of hours a week' to the playgroup, and possibly more when there were special events planned.

She said: 'The chair does have to run committee meetings and make decisions with regards to the playgroup, and the treasurer must be able to make decisions with regards to the finances of the group.

'New committee members would have to complete a DBS check and then be registered with Ofsted.'

Mrs McGranachan said she would encourage anyone interested to consider taking up one of the roles.

She said: 'It's a very rewarding thing to do.

'It's well worth the hours that you put in, to know that there are children in the village who are benefitting. You are helping to give them the opportunity to have that child care.'

As well as running a morning playgroup each week day, Ducklings also has Wednesday afternoon activity sessions for children aged from 21 months to two-and-a-half years.

The playgroup was given an 'outstanding' rating by Ofsted after its latest inspection in December 2015.

Anyone interested in filling one of the roles at the playgroup should email Mrs McGranachan at ducklings.secretary@gmail.com