YOUNG mums who were left without any playgroups for their children following council cuts have banded together to form their own.

Volunteers have set up the new Clayton-le-Moors Parent and Toddler Group at the Arthur Wilson Centre in Pickup Street after previous one at the venue was forced to close after funding was pulled by Lancashire County Council.

Marie Simpson and Gail Dickinson are behind the idea and worked together with other parents after the closure meant there was no play groups left in the town.

Miss Simpson, 32, said: "After the old group shut down we just thought we'd try and do something for the community.

"We wanted to do it for the parents in Clayton-le-Moors. There's nothing there for them. The council cuts and closures of these sort of groups have really hurt us.

"It's not just for the children, these sort of groups can be a real boost to the parents moral.

"With some people you don't know what they have going on at home. This just gives them a chance to escape and talk to people."

Miss Simpson used to attend the previous playgroup which was run at the centre until it closed last month.

The new group has so far held five sessions and the organisers have been pleased with the response they have received.

A total of 22 children attended the most recent session.

The mum-of-one said: "It's been fantastic so far, we're getting even more people along than the old group used to.

"We're hopeful it can continue to grow, we're always looking for more people to come along."

The group offers a variety of toys and play equipment for children up to age five to use and also the chance for parents to have refreshments.

The kitchen is being refurbished at the centre as part of the work to improve the facilities on offer.

Tracey Tomlinson, volunteer co-ordinator at the centre, said it is vital mums in the area have access to this sort of group.

The mother-of-four said: "There's nothing happening in Clayton for mums at all.

"It's so sad that playgroups are closing because of county cuts, they're a great way for parents and children to meet others.

"It's really great that they've started the group, it's what Clayton needs."

The group runs every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3pm and Fridays 9.30am to 11am during term time. It costs £1.50 per session.