PARENTS concerned about the future of a nursery staged an election day protest, despite Lancashire County Council having said it was not among eight earmarked for closure.

Families congregated outside Thompson Street Nursery, Padiham, as it doubled as a polling station in yesterday's council vote.

About 20 mothers and supporters stood in protest with their children, asking people to sign a petition.

Single mum Sonia Hoyte, 36, of Warwick Drive, one of the campaign leaders, has a two-year-old son Alexander at the nursery.

She said: "We had a letter from Lancashire County Council outlining plans to streamline services.

"They are going to close six nurseries by August. There is nothing to say this one is among them but they are going to replace the other nurseries with a big centre in Burnley."

The protesters' concern follows an announcement that the county council plans to close six of its 18 day nurseries run by the social services in Colne, Clitheroe, Accrington, Bamber Bridge and two in Preston by the end of August.

A new Family Support Services Centre in Burnley has been planned to fill the nursery gap.

It will cater for children from toddlers up to 18-year-olds to fit in with Government plans to provide universal education for three-year-olds and 'neighbourhood nurseries' in disadvantaged areas.

The county council feels there has been a reduced demand in the need for day care while that for family services has grown through a number of factors, including children entering education at a younger age.

But a county council spokesman assured parents Thompson Street was not among those earmarked to close.

He said: "The Quality Protects Panel, a multi-agency committee which looks at social service issues, raised the question of the closure of six nurseries on March 8 .

"Thompson Street is not part of those proposals. There are no proposals to close Thompson Street Day Nursery."

But the assurance did not allay parents' concerns.

Geraldine Wright, of St Annes Street, whose nine-year-old-daughter Sarah used to attend the nursery said: "Five or six children have already had to leave because they closed down a room.

"We believe they are looking at replacing Thompson Street with a centre in Burnley but it will be difficult for a lot of parents to get there. Some have special needs so it's impossible."

Melanie Chorley, 24, of Portal Grove, whose children Joshua, three, and Lauren, two, attend the nursery, said: "We've been told it's going to close within two years. It's not a rumour.

"They provide a full range of facilities here, including respite for the newborn babies.

"I suffered panic attacks and they helped me through it. My children have made significant progress here, too. They leave soon but it's everyone else I'm worried about."

Staff at the nursery have declined to comment on the possible closure.