PARENTS have been warned to “use or lose” a children’s play centre in Parkeston.

The owner of Little Monsters, at the Phoenix Industrial Park, said dwindling numbers of kids attending had led her to consider shutting.

The Freshfields Road play centre has remained empty on several days.

Little Monsters’ owner Sarah Atkinson said: “This is a last-ditch attempt to get people to realise we are here.

“The problem is we are reaching the stage where we aren’t getting enough people coming in to keep it open. It’s a big facility.”

She added: “I don’t want to think about closing.

“I love it here. It’s just really sad.”

If forced to close, six members of staff would be made redundant.

Extreme weather and other facilities in the town, which are drawing people away, have been blamed for the low numbers.

Mrs Atkinson said: “First, we had a gorgeous summer last year, which meant everyone stayed outdoors “Then we had a freezing winter, which meant everyone was too cold to come here because it is a metal building and the heaters were freezing from the outside. Now we have just had a really hot spring.

“The thing is, February half- term was great because the weather was normal.

“I think I am being killed off by the weather. And we have lots of amenities in the town. Who passes up a free beach?”

Mrs Atkinson bought the business 18 months ago. She said she would decide after the summer holidays whether to keep Little Monsters open.

She said: “I don’t even want to think about it.

“It will be the hardest decision of my life and it doesn’t just affect me.

“Please help us keep it open.”

To book a children’s party at Little Monsters, or for more information, call 01255 242500.