ANGRY town councillors have written to County Hall bosses demanding a vital Sure Start children’s centre remains opens.

The Windmill Children’s Centre (right), in Ramsey, could be scrapped as part of Essex County Council’s plans to close 25 sites across the county.

But Harwich town councillors claim the Ramsey site should not be closed due to the large number of vulnerable families in the area.

Families in the town will also face a 33-mile round trip to get help and support if it is closed.

Harwich Town Council has now written to Graham Butland, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for health, and Dick Madden, cabinet member for adults and children, calling on the centre to remain open.

Michelle Townsend, assistant clerk, said: “The present proposals would result in the Harwich peninsula being left with nothing more than a Family Hub outreach site offering face-to-face information, advice and guidance, which is expected to be sited in the library, a location which is not dedicated for this purpose.

“This is considered to be totally unacceptable as the core client base for children services will not be inclined to visit a public library to obtain the necessary support and advice.

“The intention is to widen the scope of support from the present nought to five age group to a ‘whole family’ support from pre-birth to aged 19.”

She added: “It is inconceivable that such wide-ranging support could be effectively provided from a public library.

“National statistics indicate the Tendring district to be amongst the highest in the country for child poverty and that Harwich East ward and Harwich East Central ward are amongst the highest in this category within the Tendring district.

“It is for these reasons, and for the complex needs of the family groups involved, that children’s centres were established on the Harwich peninsula as there was a proven need.”

ECC said its plans to create 12 family hubs would bring together services for all families and children from pregnancy right up to the age of 19.