KEARSLEY Children's Centre is to close with services being transferred to a new modern hub in Farnworth.

More than £300,000 is being pumped into the the youth centre and adjoining offices in King Street, Farnworth to become the new area hub for the council's Start Well Service.

New Start Well hubs covering each area of Bolton were created as part of controversial shake-up of children's centre.

Schools across the borough came forward to take over the running of eight of the Children Centre buildings and became linked to the new Start Well Service —and it is hoped the same will happen with the Kearsley building , but it would no longer be a council run Children’s Centre.

Bolton Council is investing £350,000 into the King Street base to improve the youth centre and services for young people, which will continue to be based there, but also provide play and learn sessions, antenatal and Well Baby Clinics, parenting support and other activities.

A number of children's health service staff from Farnworth Health Centre will also move into the refurbished building.

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: "Our intention is to still have children’s services provided from the Kearsley building but run by organisations in the community. The current council services will move to the refurbished King Street, to join with local health services, in a new Start Well centre for families and young people. We will work in partnership with local providers to ensure continued use and delivery of services for children and families from Kearsley."

Work on the King Street centre is due to start on July 16 and say council chiefs the plans have been developed with the help of young people.

The centre will have new play areas, a family room, children's area, multi-purpose activity room, health rooms, pram store and reception area.

Alternative arrangements will be made for youth session to be run elsewhere while work is being carried out, and the Connexions Service will be based elsewhere, possibly Farnworth library.

Cllr Ann Cunliffe, executive cabinet member for children’s services, said: "The new look Farnworth Children’s and Young People’s Centre will be a welcome boost to the community,” said Councillor Ann Cunliffe, Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

"Young people in the area have been at the heart of the plans and we’ve received some very positive feedback.

"The Farnworth centre is just one of the improvements we are making to Start Well centres as part of a £800k package to improve the lives of children and young people and ensure the most disadvantaged and vulnerable get the best possible start in life as possible."