A childcare centre in Leigh could be closed by July after Southend Council's cabinet recommended shutting the Narnia Centre.

The proposal comes after a two-year battle to keep open the Highlands Boulevard complex which offers nursery and after-school childcare facilities.

The centre's long-term future at Belfairs High School has been in doubt since the school launched plans for a community sports facility with Southend Council.

A formal decision to close the Narnia Centre could be delayed until mid-March as councillors have until this Friday to call in the closure recommendation for further scrutiny.

A Southend Council spokeswoman said the cabinet had suggested closing the centre by "the end of the summer term" in July as the lease expired in August.

She said: "Efforts have been made to try to find an alternative location but so far these efforts have not resulted in any firm plans.

"However, the current service provided at the Narnia Centre does not meet with the social services department's statutory duty to provide services to children in need."

Angela Witherspoon, treasurer of the Narnia Trust set up to take over the centre from council management, said parents were "saddened" and "shocked" by the proposal.

Mrs Witherspoon, of Edinburgh Avenue, Leigh, said: "We are very saddened by it and shocked that it has come like this almost completely out of the blue.

"We have been in contact with the council with regards to the possible lease of one of their other buildings and the inference is we haven't got it."

A closure programme will be drawn up to give parents up-to-date details about alternative facilities.

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