PARENTS will hold a protest against proposed cuts to children's centres across Worcestershire at County Hall on Friday.

The protesters are opposed to county council plans to cut funding to children's centres from £4.5m to £3m.

Around 50 people are expected to attend the protest, which will start at 10.30am and has been organised by Malvern Hills National Childbirth Trust (NCT).

Rumours of children's centres closing before the end of the consultation has prompted parents to hold the demonstration.

Hannah Cooper, branch coordinator for Malvern Hills NCT, said: "Last Thursday at Evergreen Children's Centre around 15 mums and two dads were given letters saying the centre was closing down.

"The letter said it would close on October 1 but 20 minutes later the staff retracted the letter for 'political reasons'.

"This incident has inspired us to host this protest. We have taken part in the political process but feel like we are not being listened to.

"The consultation has not finished and these things are already starting."

Marc Bayliss, the cabinet member for children and families, said: “I think a communication was inappropriately put out.

"It was not something that we had agreed at that point and they jumped the gun in terms of communication with parents.

"We have been in discussions and I’m hopeful that Evergreen Children's Centre will be open until the end of its lease, which is some time next year."

Cllr Bayliss said the council is in discussions with Action for Children, the charity running the centre, despite it not being part of the consultation.

If the proposed cuts are implemented they will come into force from December.