Council bosses are being invited to take part in a three-mile pram push to highlight the journey dozens of parents will have to make if a children’s centre is forced to close.

Kent County Council (KCC) is proposing withdrawing £225,000 of annual funding to Millmead inMargate from next April.

The nearest alternative to the former Sure Start centre in Dane Valley - which would have to close along with a 62 place nursery - is a mile-and-a-half away.

KCC Margate councillor Barry Lewis (Lab) says he wants members of the decision-making children’s, young people and education cabinet committee (CYPE) to take part.

The centre is one of two at risk, with £200k of cuts also proposed to Seashells in Sheerness.

Development coordinator there, Casie Young, spoke of her “shock and disbelief” at the prospect of the cuts, adding: “We are a lifeline to our families and a lot of vulnerable families.”

KCC maintains it has the same provision nearby, meaning the funding represents a duplication, and that it must make £100m of cutbacks in the next two years or face going bust.

They have now entered a period of consultation and dozens of jobs could be at risk.

Cllr Lewis said: “It’s all very well to say the cuts have to be made but this will rip the heart out of the community.

“Many people here do not have the wherewithal to get to the alternative place offered by KCC which is a mile-and-a-half away from Millmead. So, we’re asking members of the KCC committee to come along and try it for themselves.”

Millmead offers a range of free-of-charge services designed to help parents cope on low incomes, including advice and free courses.

The centre also provides free nursery places, affordable food subscriptions and a foodbank.

KCC contends it cannot carry out its statutory obligations against a backdrop of squeezed funding from central government and soaring costs.

All “discretionary” spending, which is not required by law, will be under threat as the authority attempts to balance the books.

Withdrawing the subsidies to Millmead and Seashells in Sheerness would save KCC £426,000 annually, as commissioned services.

Sue Chandler, cabinet member for integrated children’s services said: “Following the introduction of our new Family Hub model across Kent last year, the management cost for these two commissioned services creates a duplication as KCC is also paying for the management of the in-house services on offer at KCC Family Hubs across the districts of Swale and Thanet.

“By not renewing these contracts when they naturally come to an end in March 2025, we can make a much-needed efficiency saving whilst continuing to provide essential services for families and young people in these areas.

Conservative member of the CYPE committee Cllr Sarah Hamilton said: “I haven’t received this invitation, so I can’t really respond. I will be out of the country for some of this month.”

Cllr Chandler was approached for a comment.