A COUNCILLOR is backing a campaign organised by parents to save a ‘vital’ support service.

Liberal democrat Jackie Porter is supporting parents in their mission to save Sure Start centres across Hampshire.

The Itchen Valley councillor has revealed that her and fellow party members were shocked by the “drastic” cuts to the centres.

Hampshire County Council has launched a 10-week public consultation over proposals to merge all the children’s services in the county under one Family Support Service targeted at vulnerable parents and children.

The service would save the council £8.5million but would cut the centres from 54 across the county to 11 district hubs and would see around 60 per cent of staff lose their jobs.

The proposal was launched last week by deputy leader Cllr Keith Mans but Cllr Porter has said she is “horrified” by the plans.

Now she has taken to social media to show her support for Catherine Ovenden, leader of the Save Our Children’s Centres Campaign.

Mum-of-two Catherine from Totton set up her campaign in 2011 when the Sure Start centres were first threatened with closures and is now organising a peaceful protest calling on parents to show their support.

Cllr Porter said: "I think it's very important that the parents have their say, last time i think we made a mistake of emphasising the political side of it but for me this is about mums genuinely wanting to change something for themselves and make sure that the parents have their support, I think if they all speak together it will be very powerful.

"We were aware of discussions about this but didn't realise it would be so drastic and I was horrified when I found out it would only be 11 centres, I understand the shortage but for all mothers to have somewhere they can go is so important and a lot of the time it’s the mum to mum support these women need not health visitors, they need that sense of community and I worry mums will be isolated with this new proposal and that will cause further problems down the line.

“Catherine was an amazing campaigner when Sure Start changed the last time. Mums feel that cutting down to just one children’s centre in each district is too drastic. I want this to be a Mums, Dads and Grans campaign- not a political one. I think it is vital that parents have their say on this. If your child is growing up fast you might want to look at the implication for youth services too.”

Districts in danger include the New Forest, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester and the Test Valley while Southampton City Council confirmed Sure Start centres in the city would be safe.