FAMILIES fighting to save a children’s centre in Chipping Norton joined forces to march across the town in a recent protest.

Parents and children met outside the threatened Ace Children’s Centre to rally support against news it faced the axe.

The Burford Road centre is under threat from being shut down after Oxfordshire County Council announced proposals to close its 44 children’s centres and seven early intervention hubs as part of plans to save up to £6m.

Protest organiser Laetisia Carter joined the rally through the town with husband Stuart, nine-month-old daughter Clemence and three-year-old son Ruben.

She said: “The children’s centre is absolutely vital to our community. At times it can be isolating here, you need somewhere that looks after families.”

A trail of bright yellow balloons was seen flowing towards Chipping Norton as campaigners marched towards the town centre just after 10am.

Families also carried placards calling on drivers to beep their horns in support of their fight against the county council proposals.

Mother-of-two Katie Motley said she has used the children’s centre since son Sandy, seven, was born and has also had support from staff when caring for daughter Lizzie, four.

She added: “We have received fantastic support over the years. They have supported me through post-natal depression and given me the help that I needed at the time that I needed it.

“It does not matter what your background is, once you have a child we are all on the same level, you can still have all the same problems. The staff here are trained to spot these issues and help.”

Mother-of-one Lottie Surtees joined the march with partner Ben Cooper and three-year-old son Jake.

She said: “It’s been amazing. The staff and everyone at the centre go above and beyond. It’s important for Chipping Norton to have this centre.

“I’m lucky because I have a really supportive family but some families don’t have support and it’s a place to go just for a chat.”