Campaigners against the closure and merger of Sure Start children’s centres in Kent handed their 2,000-signature petition to the county council on Friday.

Labour leader Gordon Cowan, from Dover, delivered the petition signed by parents from all over the county.

Also there was Dover District Councillor Peter Wallace who said: “Every child in Kent should be guaranteed a head start in life and Sure Starts were set up by the Labour government to help the most vulnerable families by putting help where it’s most needed.

“Not only is it bad for the children it’s also a false economy, as every £1 we spend in Sure Starts saves £7 in later life at school on making up for lost time.

“I’m glad that Jenny Whittle has announced some of the centres will definitely be saved, which wouldn’t have happened without parents protesting.”

The proposals include the merger of two children’s centres in Dover onto one town centre site.