LABOUR has demanded a review of Lancashire County Council's decision to consult on the possible closure of several of its nursery schools.

It has also called on the authority's Conservative administration to earmark £1million to keep all 24 going until the government decides on the future of early years education grants after Spring next year.

Last week county schools boss Cllr Phillipa Williamson revealed four nurseries were 'financially unviable' and 10 'financially vulnerable' but all could be at risk if ministers scrap their special cash provision in 2021.

She has refused to name those at risk.

Most of the nurseries are in the east of the county with eight in Burnley, two in Hyndburn, five in Pendle, one in Clitheroe and three in Rossendale.

Cllr Williamson said she was contacting all 24 for up-to-date financial data to inform the consultation on their future authorised by the authority's cabinet.

Cllr John Fillis, deputy leader of the Labour opposition group, has 'called in' the decision so it can be reviewed by a special panel of councillors.

He said: "The implications of nursery closures are so significant that the action taken does not identify adequate funding to ensure that all nurseries are maintained until April 2021 or until the government has identified the future of the School Supplementary Grant.

"A contingency fund of £1m should have been included to ensure viability until clarity on the government's intentions is received. Nurseries will close without this cover."

The Burnley nurseries affected are Rockwood, Taywood, Basnett Street, Stoneyholme, Reedley Hallows, Rosegrove, Ightenhill, and Whitegate. Hyndburn's are Accrington Lee Royd and Fairfield while the county runs one in Ribble Valley - Ribblesdale in Clitheroe.

The Pendle nursery schools are Newtown in Colne and Bradley, Woodfield, McMillan and Walton Lane in Nelson and Brierfield.

Rossendale's county council nurseries are Bacup, Staghills in Rawtenstall and Hillside.