PARENTS have hit out at Chorley Borough Council's decision to cut funding for a nursery which could lead to its closure.

Happy Days nursery on King Street, Chorley, is set to close on March 31 unless alternative funding can be found.

The council has defended its decision to cut funding saying it was the only district council in the county ever to provide nursery education, despite being under no obligation to do so.

A council spokesperson said it was still "a going concern" and there are still hopes someone might step in and save it.

But the move has been slammed by parents of children who attend the nursery.

Gaynor Harper, 28, who has a 15-month-old son at the nursery, claims she has not had an proper explanation from the council as to why the funding was cut.

She said: "I have not had any reply from the council, apart from a short e-mail which didn't sufficiently explain their decision.

"There are more than 70 children who use the nursery and each of them, including my son, will have to be moved elsewhere, something which is bound to upset them and will make a lot of hard work for parents."

Just before notice was given of the council's decision, fees at the nursery were raised by 28 per cent, something which she says she would continue to pay if it meant keeping the centre open.

"Although not all of the parents can afford the new fees, the majority of us would be willing to pay them to keep our children happy.

"The new fees are in line with the cost of most other private nurseries in the area and if it saved the nursery then it would be worthwhile.

"But the facilities are nowhere near as good as other nurseries in the area charging a similar amount of money." A council spokesman said that due to a reduced grant from the Learning Skills Council, funding the nursery and the Employment training Group was no longer possible.

She said: "The training group students are the responsibility of the Learning Skills Council, but we are doing everything to ensure the transfer to a new service provider.

"In terms of the nursery, we said right from the start we will do everything we can to ensure it stays open. We are still working to ensure its future."