Thousands have had their say on plans to close 43 Sure Start centres across Hampshire

Thousands of people have had their say on plans to close 43 Sure Start centres, leaving 11 district hubs.

Comments are now being reviewed to gauge public opinion ahead of a final decision in July.

Yesterday noisy protesters gathered outside Hampshire County Council headquarters where they waved placards and chanted their opposition to the scheme.

They then marched through Winchester down the High Street and finished their protest by the King Alfred statue on The Broadway.

They used megaphones and banged drums as they made their feelings loud and clear about the proposed plans.

Their protest could be heard in the council chamber, where lead campaigner Catherine Ovenden made a deputation to council chiefs.

She pleaded with council bosses to rethink the decision and said the district hubs will not be effective supporting all families in Hampshire, she argued that the plans will put children's lives at risk.

Ms Ovenden, said: "This argument should be way above party politics. This is about the safeguarding of children and the future of our county for generations to come.

"Our petitions against the proposed plans for Hampshire's Children's Services have gained over 10,000 signatures. We worked very hard to gather those signatures. Please do not discount them.

"I made a promise to you that every year you try to close Hampshire's local children's centres; I will come back and campaign more loudly and more effectively locally, nationally and internationally. I promise to do that for the rest of my life."

"Hampshire County Council's Children's Centre, The Patch saved my life. I will always fight to save the centres. You have my word.

"So, please save Hampshire's Children's Centres, invest in them, and keep them safe forever."

A decision on the scheme will be made by executive lead member for children's services Keith Mans at his decision day on July 1.

Cllr Mans said: "I will be carefully considering the views provided, and any comments from the Children and Young People Select Committee, before making any decision.

"We are grateful to everyone who responded to the consultation. This is a challenging time for the Authority which has seen huge reductions in its central Government funding in recent years. This has affected budgets for all services and, with reducing levels of resource, the County Council must think about different ways of delivering services that will be sustainable for the future.”