A MASS demonstration against controversial plans to axe 'vital' children's centres will take place tomorrow.

The protest outside closure-threatened Little Lever Children's Centre is expected to be the biggest yet.

Since the news was announced by Bolton Council, angry campaigners and parents have been staging protests.

Tom Hanley of Bolton Trades Union Council, said: "These centres offer a lifeline to local children and their families.

"The range of services that they provide is excellent. Bolton Council should be working to save them not shut them. Everyone knows that the council has huge financial reserves.

"Surely it would make sense to dip into those reserves and make a commitment to keep the centres open for the next couple of years. With so much political uncertainty around Greater Manchester's devolution – and when the next general election might be – it makes no sense to rush to close these vital centres.

"I would urge everyone to support the campaign to save Bolton Children's Centres. We are hoping for a good turn out on Wednesday morning from 9:30 am."

Bolton Council has been consulting on proposals to close the doors on around a dozen children's children which say campaigners "serve families and local communities across the town".

Little Lever is one of 13 buildings which will no longer operate a children’s centre if the council’s proposals are rubber stamped.

Campaigners are urging the council to reconsider its proposals to slash the number of centre’s operating in Bolton by two thirds.

Under the council’s plans — which it hopes will save £1.5 million — the Family Support, Early Years and Childcare and Children’s Centre services will be merged into a new ‘Start Well’ service.

New teams will operate from seven Start Well community hubs across the south, north and west areas of the borough.

The council plans to keep the remaining children’s centre buildings open for use by the wider community — but they will need to be managed by a school or third sector party, who could build on or expand the services offered.

Andrea Egan, of Bolton Unison, said: "This protest follows weeks of petitioning and smaller protests across Bolton and local communities. What we are finding is that the more people find out about the council proposals, the more people can see what is at stake. The protest planned for Wednesday promises to be the biggest so far. We are hoping that Bolton Council will think again".