MUMS in Trowbridge say they will find life much more difficult if the children’s centre at Longfield is closed, along with five more countywide.

Wiltshire Council wants to save £250,000 by closing six of the current 17 centres and continuing to provide children’s services from community hubs such as libraries. A consultation with users ended on Tuesday.

Laura Oatley from Hilperton said: “I’ve used the local children’s centres for various groups and services, and they were really valuable when I was a new mum for meeting people, feeding support, weigh ins, the sensory rooms, etc.

“I also had antenatal courses there too. I appreciate they cost money but the services they provide are so important. I’m sure the council could save some money elsewhere.”

Catherine Powell, who lives on the Longfield estate, said: “I take my daughter there every two weeks to weigh in and I have an outreach worker.”

Wiltshire Councillor for Lambrok Deborah Halik said: “I don’t think closing the centres is right. Ladies from Longfield will have to walk their pushchairs in the rain to Studley Green. They aren’t going to do that.

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Lucy-Anne Bryant, lead commissioner for Wiltshire Council, said: “We want families to access libraries to improve literacy and reading, and improve fitness and healthy lifestyles. It would be absolutely brilliant if families could go in and realise they can adopt a different lifestyle to improve their outcomes.”

Westbury White Horse centre is also threatened. Mum Delcey Orchard-Smith, who lives in Westbury and is training to help other women breastfeed successfully, said: “It could mean that people from three towns will all have to use Studley Green.”