LABOUR council bosses in Burnley were accused of 'mealy-mouthed rhetoric' as they refused to back outright opposition to the closure of any nursery schools in the town.

Ruling Labour leaders agreed to work with Lancashire County Council to ensure high quality nursery services in the town.

But they refused to support Liberal Democrat Gordon Birtwistle's call for outright opposition to closures, following the current county-wide review of services.

The LibDem leader told the policy committee: "No-one wants closures and I will fight tooth and nail to keep all our schools open."

Labour Coun Peter Kenyon, said it was refreshing and very welcome that Burnley was entering into a dialogue with county on the issue.

In the past, the two sides would be throwing brickbats at each other.

But Independent Harry Brooks said Labour's stance amounted to mealy-mouthed rhetoric.

He challenged council leader Stuart Caddy, to explain how, before supposed review procedures were completed, a county council spokesman had given an assurance that no nurseries would close - except in Burnley.

Conservative Coun Enid Tate, a retired nursery school head, said there was a disproportionate number of nursery schools in the town - with 13 of the 30 county nurseries in Burnley.

There were more empty places as birth rates in the town fell and she felt closures were on the cards.

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