PARENTS have been shortchanged by a decision to cut hours at a Children's Centre raising concerns for the future of vital support services.

Furious Harwich county councillor, Ivan Henderson, said the proposals to axe 30 hours of childcare services were flawed and have left parents in the dark over the future of provision in their area.

Harwich Town Children’s Centre is due to have its hours cut by more than half while Manningtree Children's Centre is being closed and its services merged with the Windmill Centre in Ramsey.

Councillors called in the proposals claiming there was a lack of detail in the needs across the county as well as the access to the services that will remain available. But on Tuesday county hall bosses dismissed the concerns.

Mr Henderson said: “I am really concerned that some of the proposals are not very clear – they have not been open and transparent."