PARENTS have launched a campaign to show support for two under-threat play and support groups.

The Stay and Play and Saturdads groups, based at Bridport Children's Centre, could close under proposals by Dorset County Council.

The free groups are run by trained professionals who can also help to signpost families to other services.

Parent George Gotts, who set up the petition, said: "At sometime, all parents need some support regardless of social status.

"I know for myself, for my close friends and many of the 150 signatures on the petition that what is being echoed is that having this support in our community provides preventative care for families which not only cuts costs on all services but gives the vital support to our children in the most important developmental years.

"I think it's really important that we have a universal service for people - the most valuable thing that we can give to further generations."

A parent who is supporting the petition said: "What is so different about Stay and Play is there are trained workers here and they know what they are talking about.

"Here it is open and accessible and no-one is judging you. The play workers are really important."

Another parent said it would be "massively missed" if it closed.

The petition is being backed by county councillor for Bridport, Cllr Ros Kayes, who will be presenting the petition to the authority.

She said: "'This is all part of the cuts to children's services.

"However, councillors were told that the children's centres' budgets were to be protected because most of what they are doing is intervention work for families at risk or in need. So I don't understand why these groups are under threat. That's why I'm supporting the petition to retain them".

The county council said it was "touched by the positive comments" from supporters and urged anyone who wished to take part in the decision-making process to contact Bridport Children's Centre.

A spokeswoman said: "We are committed to delivering the best service for families. Part of that is to regularly review the services we offer and to adjust to future needs.

"We wrote to parents informing them that we are no longer continuing with some services, the centre lead invited parents to discuss any concern they may have, however to date, no-one has taken this offer up.

"We have been touched by the positive comments in the petition and with how much our services are valued. We will continue to work with families, however we must also evolve our service to meet the needs of the community.

"Our services are not static and we encourage the community to work with us, so that together we can provide the widest range of services - but not all services can be directly delivered by the children's centres."

To see the petition, please visit change.org/p/save-bridport-s-stay-and-play-and-saturdads