Mothers protest over creche cuts

Mothers are planning to protest at Edinburgh City Chambers

Mothers and carers are to protest outside the City Chambers against the closure of creches at Edinburgh's leisure and sports centres.

The move follows the announcement by Edinburgh Leisure to cut six of its eight creches as part of efforts to save £300,000.

The Royal Commonwealth Pool and Ainslie Park Leisure Centre are the two creches which will remain running.

Demonstrators will hand a letter of protest to Edinburgh Leisure.

Closure of the creches will effectively stop many mums from enabling their kids to take part in sports and fitness Joanna Duff, creche user

Joanna Duff, who regularly uses Edinburgh's Ainslie Park centre with her two sons, said: "It is vital that, from an early age, a child experiences the sports environment, and understands their parents' participation in physical activity.

"These early experiences will develop the child's interest in sports, making them comfortable in the routine and fun of regular physical exercise.

"Closure of the creches will effectively stop many mums from enabling their kids to take part in sports and fitness.

"This will seriously limit parental understanding of the importance of physical activity in tackling obesity, and promoting healthier lifestyle choices."