ANGRY parents have drawn up a petition against plans to open a private French nursery in the grounds of a popular Notting Hill state primary.

More than 200 parents and children have signed a document protesting against a scheme to move La Petit Ecole Francaise into an extended former laundry building next to Colville Primary School, Portobello Road.

Mums and dads are fuming at the proposal, which they say will result in a loss of play space for pupils, many of whom live in council estates with no gardens, and strain existing facilities, like the dining room, with 72 extra pupils.

Dad Ken MacDonald, 52, who lives off Golborne Road, said: "We have a very small playground as it is and this would badly impact on the children.

"That is the feeling of the majority of parents and we want it stopped."

Traders have also spoken against the prospective move, which would mean they could longer use the Colville's playground as a Saturday car park.

Chairman of the Portobello Antiques Dealers' Association Costas Kleanthous said:"There is nowhere else to park safely. Traders would cease coming to Portobello, which will have a detrimental effect on the antiques market."

Governors are standing by the plan, which has been already given planning permission but must go before the LEA before getting the green light.

Speaking on Monday, Colville governor Aidrian Weale explained that the revenue gained from the nursery rent would help boost school funds.

He said dinners and playtimes would be staggered so not to put pressure on resources and added: "We want to put a football pitch down and build play equipment in the playground. But we can't do anything if it's being used as a car park.

"This is not a done deal."