A prominent vicar has made a complaint to police after coming under fire on Facebook over the closure of a kiddies’ nursery.

The Rev Nathan Ward says comments attacking him amount to a “religious hate crime” and he’s seeking legal advice.

The comments come from disappointment over the decision to close Orchard pre-school which had been based at the Millennium Centre, Rainham, for more than 20 years.

It shut on Friday, May 5, after a rent increase from its landlord, St Margaret’s Church, coupled with inflation and rising utility costs, made the business unviable.

Members of the public took to a local Facebook group to vent their unhappiness, but Rev Ward says some of the comments crossed the line.

His abilities were questioned and a family member was also criticised in a series of remarks he feels were unwarranted.

The clergyman, who heads the High Street parish church, said: “I am a great believer of freedom of speech, but with freedom comes responsibility. No one should be vilified for their religion or beliefs.

“Contrary to what has been suggested, the church was not involved with the decision and we were notified of closure at the same time as the formal letters were sent to families.

“Up until this point, we had been working closely with the pre-school to try and consider alternative solutions in the same way that we reduced the rent when they were closed during covid.”

He added: “Given the importance of Orchard’s contribution to the local community, it is understandable feelings are running high.

“I have been very concerned, however, by the reaction – some of it abusive and personal – that this has provoked against the church, particularly online, expressed in terms which were neither acceptable nor helpful and, in our view crossing the line of permissibility and some of this has been referred to Kent Police.”

Nursery boss Gina Smith says the rent rise of about 12% had prompted the sudden shutdown – a move she made “with the heaviest of hearts”.

She said the hike, along with the issues currently around the cost of living, caused her to make the decision.

The 59-year-old said: “Post-covid more parents are working from home now meaning they don’t need as much childcare. Others are hesitant to send their children to places where it’s known for infections to spread.

“Some of the kids were born during lockdown as well, meaning they have been in their own little bubble and parents are reluctant to send them.

“Economy issues are also having an impact and for some parents, nursery is a luxury that cannot be afforded.”

Gina has been in charge of the nursery since 1998 and moved into the Millennium Centre upon its construction in 2000.

At its peak, it had 116 children a day, but this dropped to just 54. It paid a daily rate of £163.20 for the use of the hall, nursery and its combined facilities.

She said some discussion was held with the church but no agreement was made and she took the decision to close.

She said: “This has been made with the heaviest of hearts.

“My plan was to see the kids until July where they can either move to their infant schools or give parents the chance to find a new nursery to enrol into.

“But after meeting my accountant, if we closed on the Friday we’d have enough finances for the legal requirements and give my staff redundancy pay.

“I’m walking away with nothing, my intention for my pension was to sell the business but now that’s gone.”

Speaking previously, Rev Ward said: “St Margaret’s was approached by Orchard some time ago.

“The nursery has a commercial lease with the charity [church]. They lease an office and nursery room 365 days a year and a hall during term time only. This covers all utility costs which have risen significantly in the last two years.

“The lease includes an annual review of rent set at inflation plus 2%. The company asked what this would be in September when increases are made and was informed, based on inflation rates at the time of calculating, it would be 12%. The nursery never asked to review this figure with the charity.

“Recently Orchard offered the church its business. However, we do not have the skills required to run a pre school. Also taking the nursery over would expose the charity to a potential redundancy cost of around £20,000.

“The church was informed at the same time as parents and caregivers that it would be closing with one week’s notice.”

Kent Police confirmed it was looking into Rev Ward's complaint.