A BASINGSTOKE pre-school has been forced to relocate to temporary premises after dangerous concrete prone to collapse has been found in a community centre.

Westside Pre-School has moved to Russell Howard Park Pavilion and reopened on Tuesday, September 12.

The relocation comes following the closure of Westside Community Centre after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council confirmed that the centre has closed as a precautionary measure.

READ MORE: Westside Community Centre closes after dangerous concrete found

RAAC concrete panels have been identified in the community library part of the building attached to the centre in South Ham.

RAAC is a lightweight, bubbly form of concrete that is usually found on roofs and occasionally on walls and floors but is known to be weak and less durable.

A council spokesperson previously said: "A surveyor has confirmed that RAAC concrete panels have been identified in the community library part of the building attached to Westside Community Centre in South Ham.

"As a precaution, while further investigations are carried out, we have closed the centre with immediate effect.

"We are working with the Westside Community Association to support them in relocating activities as quickly as possible.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to be able to minimise disruption to centre users."

Basingstoke's MP Maria visited the new site on Monday, September 11 to talk to staff and volunteers as safety measures continued to be put in place in advance of the nursery reopening.

Dame Maria added: "The nursery is essential for many families in South Ham and beyond. Thanks go to BDBC for helping ensure the new site has a secure outside play area so quickly and to HCC for helping ensure Ofsted agreed to the relocation under the difficult circumstances.

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"Having a new site so close by means less disruption for families, children, staff and volunteers. We now await confirmation as to whether Westside Community Centre will need building works to enable the nursery to plan ahead."

The material was favoured in construction projects because of its lightweight thermal properties.

Schools, hospitals and various other public buildings from the 1950s to the mid-1990s were built using the material.