A PERSHORE Nursery hit by the double whammy of rising rents and late payers has closed down.

Kids R Us shut its door on Christmas Eve to more than 100 youngsters.

Miriam Pilliner, who set up the nursery at the former Coventry Arms next to Pershore Station in May 2003 blamed financial pressures for the decision.

The combined nursery and after school club has been looking after an average of 130 youngsters a week.

"We have been hit by a combination of late paying parents and a rent increase," said Miriam.

"Cash flow problems caused by late payment are the bane of small businesses and we have been hit.

"Appeals to parents to pay up have not brought in enough money.

"I have bent over backwards to help these families and feel I've been kicked in the teeth."