CHILDREN’S charity Barnardo’s has lost the contract to run its children’s centres in Worcestershire, including Pear Tree and Sunny Fields in Bromsgrove.

Although Barnardo’s put in a bid to continue running the centres, Worcestershire County Council has given the contract to Action for Children.

The council says that existing staff will be transferred across to the new provider and that families will still be able to access the same services.

Nicola Green, assistant director at Barnardo’s Midlands, said the charity was proud of its achievements in establishing and developing the centres.

She said: “It is important to stress that the service is not closing – it will just be managed by another provider.

“We are very proud of the caring and enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers who together with the hard work of parents and carers have made a lasting difference to the community.”

A county council spokesman said there had been a competitive tendering process.

“The tender submissions were evaluated against specific criteria which focused on the delivery of services to young children and their families in accordance with current government legislations,” he said.

Action for Children is also assuring families that there will be a smooth transition.

Jan Stoll, from Action for Children, said: “We are looking forward to working in Bromsgrove to continue delivering services from the children’s centres which effectively meet the needs of families.”

The switchover will take place at the start of April.