A THREE-pronged attack was mounted against the controversial nursery voucher scheme by Bolton Labour Party on Saturday.

The party's three prospective parliamentary candidates, Brian Iddon, David Crausby and Ruth Kelly, were in Bolton's Victoria Square to voice their opposition to the introduction of the scheme.

As well as getting Labour's message across about nursery education, they were also urging voters to sign a national petition against nursery vouchers.

Mr Iddon, prospective parliamentary candidate for Bolton South East, said: "We have received a lot of support, from mums with small children to grandparents concerned about their young grandchildren."

David Crausby, candidate for Bolton North East, said if it was introduced nationwide before the election, the next Labour Government would abolish it.

"In effect they are privatising nursery places," he said.

Ruth Kelly, candidate for Bolton West, said Labour would aim to give nursery places to all three and four-year-olds.

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