ANGRY parents are wondering how they will find the money for child care after a Stroud nursery increased its fees by 24 percent.

The Imagine Co-operative nursery at Cainscross near Stroud has put its fees up for the second year running because of cuts in Government subsidies.

Last year, parents shouldered an 18 percent rise and the nursery currently charges £15 for a morning session and £18.75 for an afternoon session.

Steve Ireland's children, Liam, four, and Lily, 16 months, attend the nursery.

He and partner Jackie Dailey, of Allen Drive, Paganhill, are worried about how they will afford the rise, which will cost them another £138 a month.

"I think they will be driving parents out of work because they can't afford the fees," he said.

"It takes quite a long time for children to settle so parents are very reluctant to move them.

"The principles of the Co-op are about working with the community and there has been no consultation."

Engineer Peter Bulger and his wife Sarah, a nurse, will be paying £214.75 per month for their two children to attend the nursery after fees are increased next month.

"All the families are up in arms," said Mr Bulger, of Butterow Hill, Bowbridge. "They can't afford a £100 per month increase in fees.

"When we first placed the children there the prices seemed to be on a par with other nurseries but now they have dramatically increased."

Nursery support manager Hayden Lunn said staff had carried out a financial review and felt they had no choice but to increase fees.

"For us to continue to provide an excellent standard of care, with extras such as free nappies and organic food, we had to increase our fees over the rate of inflation," he said.

"We know some people will be affected but from our point of view they are getting the best care available."