Angela Duggan said she was 'heartbroken' when she heard of Lancashire County Council's plan to shut North Valley Day Nursery in Colne (News, 29 November). She has gathered more than 300 signatures on a petition and is enlisting other parents in a campaign to keep it open. If North Valley does close Ms Duggan hopes to pursue lottery funding to set up an alternative nursery.
The nursery, which is mainly used by disadvantaged families, has been operating for more than 50 years. It is one of six nurseries in the county that have been earmarked for closure as part of the county council's plans to modernise children's and family services. Family support centres are to be opened, but no details about them have yet been revealed.
Ms Duggan said, 'The nursery has helped me through all the bad times I've had and helped with my four children. They give support to parents with children in the nursery and they do home visits as well.
'All the staff make us feel very welcome and are always there for me and the other mums. They are like a second family to me, and the reason I get up in the morning is to go. They even help with my oldest son although he doesn't attend the nursery.
'I take an English course at the nursery and they run other courses for parents, including yoga, helping with self-confidence, cooking and family support. I don't understand why the county council doesn't make North Valley the new unit.
'I won't go to another nursery, and other mums have said that as well. It took a long time for me to build up trust with the staff and I don't want to start over again. I want to try my best to make sure the nursery stays open.'
