EDUCATION bosses behind a comprehensive review of nursery provision in East Lancashire today moved to reassure parents and said: "Nothing will close".

The statement came as Tory MP Nigel Evans backed his Ribble Valley constituents and warned Lancashire County Council not to use the current review as an excuse to reduce nursery funding and force through "cutbacks under the cloak of efficiency savings".

Mr Evans revealed he had written to County Coun Hazel Harding, chairman of the education and cultural services committee, with the warning.

But County Hall bosses said the review, which is expected to be completed by the end of this month, was concerned with reducing the costs of administration by looking at restructuring management and reorganisation.

A spokesman said: "We are looking at how our nurseries are managed and to see if we can spread the benefits throughout the county.

"We are looking at reducing the cost of administration and increasing the amount spent on actual education by looking at nursery classes and central centres of excellence rather than schools.

"Nothing will close. The word closure is being used but what may happen is that nurseries technically close one day and reopen the next under a different name and structure. "We are looking to increase provision in the Ribble Valley and the only place where nurseries may close is in Burnley, where there is over provision already.

"And, of course, nothing has been decided yet as we are still looking into things. We would welcome parents with input the subject to make them known."

Mr Evans said any cuts in the Ribble Valley were unacceptable.

He went on: "This review must in no way disadvantage parents here.

"In the past there has often been a lot of talk with regard to improving services through a full scale review but too often the returns always results in their diminution.

"I have warned Hazel Harding that there should be no attempt whatsoever to force through cutbacks under the cloak of efficiency savings."

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