PARENTS made a heartfelt plea to keep children’s centres open as they joined a protest against controversial cost cutting proposals.

They joined campaigners outside Little Lever Children’s Centre as well as local councillors and the area’s local MP, Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi.

Mum Tina Harris, aged 26, attends the centre with her daughter Isla, aged 22 months, said: “This centre is so important for the children and the parents.

“I was so worried that I would suffer from post-natal depression, because I had suffered from depression before.

“This centre provides so much support for the parents and children, they have so many different sessions, and I didn’t experience it.

“I have made some close knit friends who are also mums and we meet up with each other, it is great.”

Mum Jayne Harrison, aged 32, added: “This centre is really important, Harrison, who is 21 months, loves coming here.

“He enjoys playing and made new friends, it helps his development.

“Parents are also supported and can ask any questions.”

Leanne Love, aged 38, said: “This centre is really easy for me to get to, I could not travel to another centre.

“Being able to go to this centre stops parents from feeling as if they are on their own.”

Bolton Council has been consulting on proposals to close the doors on around a dozen children’s children to save £1.5 million.

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

Tom Hanley, from Bolton Trades Union Council, has helped to co-ordinate the campaign against the proposals.

He said:”There is no doubt that early years intervention work is the most effective in providing future life opportunities.”

Mr Qureshi said: “Th ecentres were set up by the Labour Government and have been a tremendous help to families.”

She said the council had been forced to make £40 million of saving year on year for the past six years. Local councillors urged Bolton Council to use the reserves to stop the centres from closing.

Sean Hornby said: “Children Centres play a vital role in the upbringing of young children and give parents the skills they need to become better parents.

“It is false economy to close these Children Centres because by doing so we will inevitably be creating further problems later on in life.”

Cllr Rees Gibbons, who is a trustee at Little Lever School, added: “These places should not be shut, the effect will be horrendous.”