Upper Wharfedale Toy Library, which provides a mobile service to parents and guardians with children under five, could close at the end of August.

The toy library was set up two years ago with funding from North Yorkshire County Council and has proved enormously popular, with 100 families out of an estimated 110 in the Upper Wharfedale area, joining up. As well as providing the children with stimulating and educational toys, it gives parents the chance to meet up and share their experiences, say organisers.

But it is facing an uncertain future after the county council told organisers funding would not be available beyond August.

A committee of parents has been set up with a view to continuing and expanding the services under the name The Dales Toy Library. But securing funding has proved difficult.

Toy librarian Vanessa Iliff said: “Many funding bodies will only support a registered charity. But we cannot register until we have £5,000 in the bank, so we are caught in a catch 22 situation.

“On top of this many grant-makers will not fund running costs, but we already have the van, the toys and a base so, like many charities in the current financial climate, our immediate need is to cover the day-to-day expenses to keep the service operating, not to go out and buy new toys, a new van or build new premises.

“We have raised £1,800 so our immediate need is another £3,200 so that we can get our charity registration and keep going until January.”

If any local businesses or individuals are able to help they should contact Vanessa via email on vanessailiff.uwtl@hotmail.co.uk.