PARENTS fighting to save the day nursery at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, claim its closure could be in breach of NHS policy.

Doctors, nurses and other staff have undertaken independent research to strengthen their case against East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

It has announced it is considering closing the facility to help stem £5.5million debts.

Parents of the 32 children who use the nursery and who are all employed by the hospital say NHS policy states trusts have to provide on-site childcare for staff.

This, they argue, means East Lancashire NHS Hospitals Trust, which subsidies the nursery, does not have the power to close it.

They have enlisted the help of Blackburn MP Jack Straw and are drafting a letter to trust bosses setting out their case.

Parent Nicky Webster said: "One of the parents has been on the internet and found a couple of things that might show that the trust would be in breach of NHS policy if it closes the nursery.

"This information was forwarded to the acting trust chief executive Richard Gilden and to Jack Straw.

"This new information has given us some hope that it will be saved -- everyone is quite optimistic."

A meeting between the trust and nursery staff s being held today to decide the nursery's fate.

Nicky was hoping that parent representatives would also be allowed to attend.