TWO children's centres threatened with closure are set to be saved.

Last year, Bury Council announced it would have to make sweeping changes to its services for youngsters from April this year and a report proposed the closure of seven centres.

But, following a consultation exercise that included several fiery meetings between parents and councillors, the council has published a new report recommending Butterstile in Prestwich and Stepping Stones in Radcliffe stay open.

If the amended plan is given the green light at a Cabinet meeting at 6pm next Wednesday, Daisyfield and Moorside in Bury, High Meadow in Radcliffe, Toodle Hill in Prestwich and the Ramsbottomcentre, will all still close.

Those five centres will be turned into nurseries for two-year-olds and the move will save the council £820,000 a year.

Children's centre 'hubs' will be established at existing facilities which are at: Woodbank with Elton, Redvales and Little Oaks - which are all sited in Bury - Besses in Whitefield, Sedgley in Prestwich, and Coronation Road in Radcliffe.

The conversion is deemed necessary as the Government is compelling local authorities to get more two-year-olds into nurseries so they are well prepared for school.

The council’s children’s representative, Cllr Gill Campbell, said the changes came about after campaigners opposed to the closure of Butterstile and Stepping Stones put their points across very well.

She said: “If it were up to Bury’s Labour-run council, we would not make any cuts, but these cuts are necessary because of the massive budget reduction we have suffered as a result of central Government.

“While this change is not ideal for everybody, we have listened to people during the consultation process, which was extended due to the importance of getting it right.

“What the consultation process showed was that the impact of closing Butterstile and Stepping Stones would have on the people in the local area given the shortage of community facilities there.

“What the changes will mean is that children and families will benefit from both services at the centres and outreach services.”

Donna Procter campaigned to keep Butterstile Children's Centre open.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted that we have won our fight. It comes at the end of months of hard work from so many people.

"The centre is a godsend for so many families and I would imagine that even more people will go there now."