Fresh calls have been made for somebody to come forward to run a long-established after-school club.

Sharon Douglas has been running the children's club in Taverham since she was 18 but now, 16 years later, the 33-year-old is looking for a replacement after deciding it was time for a change.

She first put out an appeal for someone to come forward to take over the business last year, but six months on nobody has come forward.

Today, Miss Douglas re-issued her plea.

'There must be somebody out there who wants to own their own business and who has always wanted to look after children. Just when will that person appear?' said Miss Douglas, who lives in Coltishall Lane, Horsham St Faith.

'I didn't realise it would take this long. It's unsettling for the children and the parents are on tenterhooks. I want to find somebody because I don't want to close down, I wouldn't do that to the parents.

'It's taken me a long time to build the club up and I'm not going to let them down and just walk away.'

Miss Douglas first got involved in the club after she agreed to step in to help run the Tadpoles group, as it was called then, at Taverham Junior School following a staff dispute. She has helped run it ever since.

About seven years ago she took over completely and moved the club to Taverham Village Hall in Sandy Lane, where it remains today.

The Taverham After Schools Club, as it is now known, provides a haven for children from the Taverham area – aged from four to 12 – between 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 6pm in the school holidays.

The thriving group now has at least 60 registered youngsters.

Miss Douglas, who wants to continue to work in child care, added: 'It was a really hard decision to make having been there so long, but I just feel its time to do something else and I think someone else could come in.

'I love every aspect of the job – socialising with the children, seeing improvement in their school work. It's nice to see the children socialising with each other and learning new skills.

'The person who is ideal for the job is probably out there but just not looking for it.

'If they heard about the opportunity then I'm sure they would be really keen.'

The ideal candidate must love children, have a fun-loving character, but also be sensible and reliable.

They would also have to be Ofsted registered, with suitable qualifications and experience.

Anyone interested should call Sharon on 07984 788358.

Are you involved in an exciting project for children? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.