A breakfast club for the children of hard-working parents in Grahame Park faces closure because it has been denied funding.

An application for running costs by Blessed Dominic RC VA Primary School was rejected by Putting New Heart into Grahame Park, a Government-funded scheme designed to boost employment in the area during the next five years.

It turned down the Blessed Dominic application because it does not create enough jobs which will mean that the school in Lanacre Avenue will have to close the club in April and make three supervisors redundant.

Headteacher Ann Marie Hendry said: "I was told we were not creating jobs so we did not qualify for funding. But we employ three canteen staff for this and it facilitates parents going to work."

Despite its tough stance, an independent audit last year found that the Government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), which controls funding for the schemes, itself has a poor record in generating employment. It created just three new jobs and safeguarded one in Barnet despite receiving £1.7million in funding since it was set up in 2000.

Orion Community Primary School, also in Lanacre Avenue, has also received no SRB funding and is struggling to feed the 55 children who attend every morning. Parents of the popular club see it as a vital resource.

Mother-of-one Peggy Taylor said: "It is a must. I can drop Christopher off and go to work knowing he is safe and looked after. Many parents cannot afford to provide a good breakfast. Here they come in every morning with friends, it is fun and it sets them up for the day."

The breakfast clubs cost £12,000 to maintain a year. It receives no Government subsidy but is free for children on free school meals and £1 for others.

A council spokesman said: "The Orion School breakfast club did not meet criteria set by the London Development Agency for SRB projects, and is therefore not normally eligible for funding. But we are happy to advise the schools on alternative funding opportunities."

Within two weeks of the rejection, the council promised to meet the existing £12,000 debt at Blessed Dominic for last year, but the school is still waiting to receive the money.

January 29, 2003 17:30