A mum told Labour’s shadow children’s minister she would tie herself to a tree if a Sure Start centre in the town closes.

The comment was made to Sharon Hodgson when she visited Woodgrove Children’s Centre and talked to staff and parents about the impact it would have on them if cost-cutting plans by Kent County Council (KCC) go-ahead.

The MP was accompanied by county councillor Roger Truelove and ward councillor Ghlin Whelan. The centre, which is used by 607 under-fives and their families, is one of 23 across the county currently under threat.

Cllr Truelove said: “Sharon talked to lots of users and it came across that they would be very desperate if it went. One girl said she’d tie herself to a tree while another explained how it had given her confidence as a parent. It was quite moving.

“I’m now going to have a discussion with Jenny Whittle [KCC cabinet member for specialist children’s services] about it and I’m inviting her and MP Gordon Henderson to the centre on September 27, at 10am, so they can speak to the users too.”

Woodgrove opened five years ago to “give children the best possible start in life” through improvement of care, early education, health and family support. KCC wants to set out a new model for its children’s centres that is sustainable for their long-term futures.

It is targeting those centres with the lowest attendance figures, and claims the identified sites are no longer needed.

The authority hopes the reduction in building and management costs will save £1.5m over the next financial year – on top of the £1.4m KCC has to save by the end of this year.

Mr Henderson highlighted his concern in parliament last week. Speaking afterwards he said: “I appreciate that Jenny Whittle and her colleagues have some difficult financial cuts to make, but balancing the KCC budget on the back of closing Woodgrove is not acceptable to me.”

A public consultation runs until October 4. To have your say, visit www.kent.gov.uk/childrenscentres