Former EastEnders star Shaun Williamson has joined the fight to save two Kent nurseries at risk of closure over funding issues.

The actor, who famously played Barry Evans in the BBC soap between 1994 and 2004, has lent his voice to those campaigning to save Millmead in Margate and Seashells in Sheerness.

It comes as the services, which are part of the Kent County Council (KCC) Family Hubs initiative and are aimed at young children and families, have now entered a period of consultation – leaving dozens of jobs at risk.

KCC is under pressure to make drastic cuts as it looks to reduce a deficit of up to £100 million in the next two years.

In a video released on social media, the 58-year-old said: “I’m afraid I’ve got some very bad news tonight.

“There are two children’s centres in Kent, Millmead in Margate and Seashells in Sheerness, that are at risk of having their funds withdrawn by Kent County Council.

“These places do amazing work for the local community.

“Millmead alone has a 65-place nursery, all sorts of things going on down there.

“Obviously with that and job losses, it’d be absolutely awful. It is the loss of a vital community hub.

“One person called it the heartbeat of the community, so we’re very keen KCC don’t withdraw their funds.

“They do brilliant work. We know that councils have to cut funds every now and again but to cut children’s services in what are basically poor areas? I don’t think so.

“Have a look [at the consultation], see what you think and if you agree with me and many other people, there is an online consultation period.”

The message from the actor is designed to raise awareness of the consultation process, during which people can offer their opinions to KCC.

For full details of this proposal and to have your say visit www.letstalk.kent.gov.uk/family-hub-services-seashells-and-millmead

The consultation will run for eight weeks until September 22.

It is understood closing Millmead in Margate would save up to £250,000, which accounts for little over half of its total annual budget.

If KCC withdraws its subsidy, Millmead’s community development and support wing’s 500 users will lose the service but it could also mean the closure of its 65-place nursery.

Margate KCC member Cllr Barry Lewis warned of “a torrent of anger” at the potential loss of the Thanet facility, which is aimed at families with children under seven.

Sheerness Seashells centre is also under threat and it is understood some jobs may be at risk.

Conservative KCC member for the area Andy Booth said: “The likelihood is there will be a number of high-profile decisions that have to be made and it’s because we have to do it, not because we want to do it.”

Millmead and Seashells, both part of the New Labour SureStart programme in the late 1990s, are the only externally funded hubs and their contracts run out in March 2025. KCC runs the rest of the family hub service.

The authority says it has services available locally for residents in Margate, Cliftonville and Northdown Road and proposed provision at Sheppey Gateway for Seashells users.

The council has complained for years that it cannot carry out its statutory obligations against a backdrop of squeezed funding from central government and soaring costs.