PARENTS have spoken of their disappointment as a popular play and stay session will be coming to an end on Friday.

Families using the services at Greenstead Children’s Centre in Colchester were told by Barnardo’s staff the craft and activity session would no longer be running.

Julie Milnes takes her three- year-old daughter Sophia Hope to the centre.

She said: “We go every week and we are absolutely gutted as it’s quite a deprived area.

“We feel like there are single and young mums who need this more than anyone.

“Sophia has been going since she was a couple of weeks old, there’s a reading area, craft table, activities - I can’t believe they are ending it.”

Virgin Care was awarded the contract to run a new Essex Health and Wellbeing Service from the centre, which came into effect in April.

The organisation has sub- contracted Barnardo’s to run the family hubs.

However, it is understood the stay and play class, which takes place weekly on a Friday, is solely run by Barnardo’s.

Mrs Milnes said it was a lifeline for her. She said: “I was 40 when I had Sophia, I was an older mum.

“I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to make friends.

“I have friends there who are young enough to be my children but we are sociable together and we come from all different backgrounds.”

Dick Madden, Essex county councillor responsible for children and families, said the Wellbeing and Family Support Service is shaped around what communities said was important to them.

He said: “Although we are only a few months in, we’re already seeing the positive effects of a joined-up service without walls that can be delivered flexibly out in the community, in the family home, or wherever families feel most comfortable.

“We continue to monitor service provision in Colchester, as we do across the rest of Essex and work in partnership with its providers Virgin Care and Barnardo’s to ensure it meets needs now and in the future.”

Essex County Council undertook a review of its centres last year.

It saw a number close while others were renamed as “family hubs”.

Greenstead Children’s Centre became Colchester’s only family hub relocating to the community cafe and Greenstead Library.

Essex county councillor for Wivenhoe, Julie Young (Lab), had campaigned to keep the children’s centres open.

She said: “I am very concerned to hear stay and play sessions are going to cease and I am going to be actively trying to bring them back as I know it is valuable to parents.”