FIFTY protesters gathered to show their anger at plans to close a college nursery.

The group – made up of parents, their children and union members – sat on the grass outside Worcester College of Technology to express their displeasure at plans to shut the on-site nursery provision.

The college says it can no longer afford to pay almost £250,000 a year to provide 80 places for students’ children at the nursery, given the cuts in its Government funding.

The closure and changes to the refectory could result in 50 job losses.

Steve Brown, of Unison Worcestershire, said: “Our concern is our members but also the students who use the facility.

"We were there because of the facility the college provides that the people cannot get anywhere else.

“It offers plenty of people the chance to go to college to study who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.

“From our point of view, we think it is financially viable for Worcester Tech to keep it open.”

Rachel Gowers, the head of marketing at the college, said: “The consultation is ongoing. We are waiting on one of the vice-principals, who is not available until next week.

"A decision is expected to be reached by the middle of next week.”