A new building could be created to house a nursery facing closure.

Parents were shocked when the Old School Nursery in Arundel was told late last year that it had until July to vacate its classroom at Arundel CE Primary School.

Shortly after the shock news, Arundel's only other nursery Butterflies Preschool, was told by West Sussex County Council that it had to vacate its premises within 12 weeks.

The closure of both nurseries would leave the town with no pre-school provision.

Plans have been unveiled which could see Old School Nursery move into new, purpose-built premises in the next two years and the Butterflies Pre-School stay where it is.

Last Friday, the day after parents, pupils and staff from the Old School Nursery protested in Arundel town centre against its closure, a meeting was held to discuss the future of the two schools.

Arundel's MP Nick Herbert joined councillors from the county, district and town councils who met Mark Dunn, the county council's cabinet member for children's services.

A joint statement from Mr Herbert and Mr Dunn released after the meeting revealed plans to save both nurseries.

Talks are under way with the trustees of Arundel Lido on plans to put up a community building there which could be used by the Old School Nursery.

With a new building taking up to two years to complete, discussions to find a short-term home have also begun.

One potential location has been found and the county council has pledged to pay for any work needed to make it suitable for use as a nursery.

If that plan falls through, a mobile classroom will be put up next to the primary school in Jarvis Road and be used until a new building is completed or alternative premises found.

Old School Nursery owner Angie Holden welcomed the plans but said its future was not yet safe as nothing had been finalised.

She said: "This does sound very positive and I'm delighted people are taking notice of us and thinking about the children but I just hope it all comes off."

David May, chairman of Arundel Lido's trustees, said: "We as a trust have discussed the issue and what we are prepared to do, subject to a number of different criteria, is expand a building on the site or possibly build a new multi-purpose one which could house the nursery.

"We haven't yet reached a decision. There's still a lot to do."

The future of Butterflies Pre-school, which was to make way for a pupil referral unit for children who cannot be placed in mainstream schools, is also looking safer.

The statement said all plans to use the building for a referral unit have been suspended indefinitely.

As well as Mr Herbert and Mr Dunn, the meeting was attended by county council member for Arundel and Wick David Britton, Arun District Council member for Arundel Paul Dendle, Arundel town councillor David Wood and Sue Berelowitz, the county council's head of integrated services.