A COUNCILLOR whose toddler son was forced to leave a county council committee meeting said nursery provision at County Hall should be extended.

West Craven Liberal Democrat David Whipp took his 20-month-old son Tom to a meeting of the county's highways committee because he could not find anyone to take care of him.

But Tom was forced to leave the chamber after other members complained he was making a noise and disturbing them.

Coun Whipp managed to get Tom a last-minute place at the county council's nursery. Afterwards he said standards at the nursery were good but there are not enough places for children of Tom's age.

Normally Tom would be at a nursery school in Barnoldswick when his dad Coun Whipp is at County Hall but the problem comes when unscheduled meetings are called. "The shortage of nursery places at the council nursery means if I had a place it would have to be full-time and I can't travel to Preston every day to take him," said Coun Whipp, who lives in Barnoldswick. "There are only six places and they get taken up by staff."

Coun Whipp took Tom to the unscheduled meeting and sat him at the back of the chamber with his books and a Thomas the Tank Engine toy. "He was just playing with his toys and reading his books until one of the Tory councillors complained," said Coun Whipp. "They took a vote and adjourned the meeting. He was just being a normal happy toddler. People need to be more tolerant."

Coun Whipp stressed he was not using his son to score political points.

But Labour Councillor Alan Whittaker, said: "I question whether Councillor Whipp is able to concentrate on important decisions while he looks after his son and I am sure Tom would prefer to be playing with children his own age in our nursery than taking part in committee meetings."

A county council spokesman said: "Although the amount of noise Tom was making was perfectly understandable for a 20-month-old toddler, it became impossible for the meeting to continue.

"The chairman was asked whether Tom could be better cared for in the council's nursery facilities.

"Councillor Whipp has been offered flexible use of our Headstart nursery facilities to care for Tom while he attends meetings to allow him to concentrate on council business."