SUPPORT for a campaign to to stop the last local authority run nursery from being closed is growing ­as the controversial proposal is debated at a meeting of the full council tomorrow.

Town hall chiefs have again put forward proposals to shut Harvey Nursery in Great Lever ­— just three years after it was saved following a public outcry.

The closure of the nursery will result in 50 children having to be found alternative provision and the loss of jobs.

Martin Donaghy, Labour Group's Children’s Services spokesman, successfully gained the backing he needed to prompt a full debate on the issue.

He said: "No one should miss the irony of the situation, when the Government is insisting that nursery provision remain in place during the lockdown, this is the very moment that the Tory Coalition Council chooses to close this important nursery.

"You really couldn’t make it up!”

He added: "We are not happy at the timing of this move, and we simply say to the Tories – hold back, don’t be so eager to strip valuable services away from the people of Bolton, when you don’t know what’s round the corner, because the way that this Government is handling the pandemic, things are going to get much worse before they get better.”

Bolton Council say that the nursery is too expensive to run and all children will be found alternative places.

(The fight to save Harvey Nursery the first time around)

Cllr Nick Peel, leader of the Labour Group said: "The Tories argue that the nursery is surplus to requirements, but this nursery is a stone’s throw away from the university, the town hall, and many other essential town centre employers and it clearly has a key role to play in ensuring that key workers can continue to attend their workplace if required.

"We ask the Tories and their allies to please think again.”

Bolton-branch of Unison is also opposing the move to shut the nursery.

Martin Challender, spokesman for the trade union, said: "Harvey Nursery is a lifeline for a lot of children and their families and professionals."

He urged councillors to think carefully how they will vote tomorrow.

Bolton's Green Party is also calling for the nursery to remain open.

Paris Hayes, from the party, has sent a letter to Bolton councillors urging them to support the Harvey Nursery so it can remain open.

He said:"Fifteen full-time posts will be los providing uncertainty to hard working staff who may have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This nursery serves a cross-section of Bolton's communities and is need now more than ever. Many councils across England and Wales run their own nurseries. I trust all good councillors will do the right thing for the people of the community and Bolton."

Council officers says that the nursery is only operating at 44 per cent capacity, and its closure would save £103,886.