A Biddulph-based nursery company has announced that it will be permanently closing two sites - after being unable to pay staff at the centres 'for weeks.'

Reach for the Stars Nursery, which is based in Biddulph but runs several nurseries in Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe, closed down two of its Crewe nurseries on Friday (November 4).

Its sites at Oaktree Children's Centre, Newcastle Street, and The Brooks Children's Centre, Balmoral Avenue - both closed down on the same day.

All parents and staff connected to the Crewe nurseries received an email confirming the closures.

Parents say they were informed of the closures only around a week before they were due to take place.

A number of staff at the Crewe nurseries said they had not been receiving any pay for all of October and only 80 per cent of their wages for September.

On Monday (October 31), concerned parent, Jadie Leanne, announced the closure to Crewe residents on social media.

She said: "As some of you are aware, Reach for the Stars nursery is closing down on Friday.

"After speaking to some of the staff working there to hear they haven't received any pay for weeks, if not longer, is absolutely heartbreaking.

"They are amazing with the children."

Reach for the Stars nursery offers full day care for children aged from zero to five.

It has been operating from 7:30am to 6pm every Monday to Friday, all year round - except Bank Holidays and a week at Christmas.

Jadie is now aiming to raise funds to the staff who haven't received pay.

The Crewe parent added: I'm going to pop-up some details as I don't want to set up a Go Fund Me - they wouldn't get the full percentage.

"If anyone would like to help it would be highly appreciated from everyone that worked there."

Lynsey Hurst, managing director of Reach for the Stars, said: "It is with deep sadness that we had to inform parents that Reach for the Stars Nursery Ltd will cease trading on Friday, November 4, 2022."