THE Conservative candidate for the hotly contested seat of Bolton North East has pledged to fight for a “better deal” for nurseries.

James Daly visited Eagley School House to meet those providing early years education in Bolton, facing, what they say is a funding shortfall under a new formula.

If he wins the seat he says the early years professionals will be invited to Westminster to speak about the issue about early yeras eduction funding.

Mr Daly said: “It was a pleasure to meet early years providers to discuss the proposed shortfall in funding in the new formula.

“I agree with their concerns over sadly best practice being penalised within this new formula, which the local council had the opportunity to redress, but chose not to.

“I will give a commitment to the providers to fight for a better deal on their behalf, and if successful,have invited them as my first guests in Westminster to move this forward.”

The Bolton News has previously reported how childminders and nursery teachers in Bolton have warned that early years education is in crisis and parents could lose “outstanding” teaching and learning for their very youngest.

In March, nursery education professional handed in a box of letters and a petition to councillors warning about the future of early years education in Bolton — unless action is taken to increase the per hour rate for a child for the free hours, or help with business rates.

Private children’s nursery owners and childminders in Bolton say they will be forced to operate at a loss as 30 hours ‘free childcare’ comes into force this year and business rates increase dramatically in some cases as much as £6,000.

Bolton Council has blamed government cuts of £634,000 to early years’ funding in Bolton with “ funding for three and four year old nursery places has been hit badly and the problem has been compounded by the government’s revaluation of business rates”.

Deputy Leader of Bolton Council Cllr Linda Thomas has previously said that the authority has reduced the amount of money used for central costs to release more funding to help them pay for nursery places. She stressed she understood that this would not resolve their issues entirely.

Mr Daly was selected earlier this month to fight the seat held by Sir David Crausby for the last 20 years, after the first candidate pulled out of the race due to “personal reasons”.

Mr Daly contested the seat at the last general election and is the leader of the Bury Conservatives.

He polled 14,164 votes in 2015.

The Prime Minister chose the Bolton North East constituency to launch the Tory general election campaign last month.

Mrs May launched her election campaign in Bolton North East.

The Prime Minister chose Walmsley Parish Hall in Egerton for her first stop on the campaign trail

Bolton North East was Conservative until Labour won it in 1997 with a 12,669 majority.

The Tories will also be keen to give MP Chris Green a stronger majority in his Bolton West seat, won from Julie Hilling by a margin of just 801 two years ago.

Bolton West has long been a key marginal seat between Labour and the Tories, with the two major parties separated by only 92 votes in 2010.

Ms Hilling is back on the campaign trail again fighting for the seat.