Play time is now over for a Croydon toy library which has closed its doors after 20 years of fun and games.

The decision to close Playmates Toy Library, based in St James's Church Hall, Lower Road, Kenley, was made by chairman Jo Lowe, after membership figures dropped and voluntary help became harder to come by.

Mrs Lowe said: “Over the past year we have tried all sorts of methods to encourage people to come. But there isn't the need for it today that there was originally.”

Mrs Lowe started using the toy library in 1985 and has been a helper there since 1988.

“It has been a big part of my life but I guess I am now resigned to it closing,” she said.

“A lot of children now go to nursery classes and there has also been the growth of car boot sales where people can buy reasonably priced toys. Circumstances have changed and there is no longer a genuine need.”

The toy library was completely self-funding charging only a small membership and borrowing fee.

Other toy libraries in Croydon were recently invited to help themselves to the abandoned toys.

“We wanted the toys to be freely distributed to other organisations to keep within the ethos of the lending library,” said Mrs Lowe.