A GWENT playgroup under threat of closure had a funding lifeline after members of the community rallied round.

Ponthir Playgroup has served the area for more than 50 years in the village hall, but in the last two years the number of children attending each week has dropped by more than half.

Supervisor Rose Davies said when she started there 17 years ago, 24 children attended each of four sessions throughout the week.

But as the recession hit, Mrs Davies, six other members of staff and the playgroup's committee decided to stop the Tuesday session to help the group survive, as some parents opted to take up free places for their children at local state nurseries.

"It was in our minds that maybe we would have to close at some stage," Mrs Davies said.

However, a fundraiser at the village hall has come to the rescue.

£813 was raised for both the playgroup and Ponthir Football Club, as it had to have a £3,000 perimeter fence following promotion to the Gwent County League.

Bands including The Novelty Items, Fairplay, Playground Jokers and a soloist called Matt Workman played at the village hall gig at the end of March.

There was also a fundraising auction which raised more than £100 and the funds are being used to replace the playgroup's toys and help with running costs.Mrs Davies hopes the money will keep the group going until the end of the year.

Other fundraising events are being planned to take the group forward.