A GROUP of mothers will hand a 500-signature petition to Wiltshire Council in a final bid to save the Bellefield Children’s Centre in Trowbridge.

The mothers, led by Natalie Shipp, who runs a breastfeeding class at the Windermere Road centre, believe that plans to close two out of three centres in the town would have an adverse impact on families.

“The classes offer mums company and it is also about the social side – "It is about having that support network where you feel comfortable to come in and ask questions, which will be lost if the centre goes,” Natalie said.

“We ended up getting 500 signatures in three days so the petition has gone quite well but we still have a way to go. I was shocked by the news because I have used the centres in Trowbridge for eight years and they have been such a major part of my children’s lives."

“We were new to the area and had an outreach worker. Without her and the centre I wouldn’t have got where I am today.”

A total of 13 county centres are at risk from plans to save £400,000 as the £4m child centres budget is cut by 10 per cent.

Staff working in centres will deliver support in the community, where a number of child centre services are provided.

The proposal to keep the Studley Green base open is backed by Trowbridge Town Council as the best short-term solution.

In the long-term, the town council prefers a single centre based in the health and well-being location in a central location.

Miss Shipp believes that based on locality and user numbers, Longfield and Bellefield would be the most cost-effective option.

She said a protest meeting last Thursday was packed.

“I think they have said they will save £400,000 and we have requested figures but we haven’t received any information about where they will save it from,” she added.

“We had a fair few people turn out to a meeting we held on Thursday to talk about the proposed closure and the whole centre was rammed with kids and mums. "Councillors who came agreed with us about trying to keep two of the three centres open,” she said.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “This is due for cabinet on December 15 and in the New Year the tender evaluation process will take place with the new contracts to start on July 1.”

To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/wiltshire-council-keep-two-of-the-children-s-centres-in-trowbridge-open