IVYBRIDGE'S Seamoor children's centre is to close from April next year, with the closest dedicated centre moving to South Brent.

Seamoor currently provides vital help and support to children and their families up to the age of five.

Devon County Council said children's services will continue to be provided 'to the communities that need them' via outreach, at yet-to-be confirmed locations.

The Den, at South Brent, currently a 'linked site' with Seamoor, will instead be linked with the Totnes children's centre.

But parents who use Seamoor have reacted angrily.

On a Facebook page called Save Seamoor, Laura Willis wrote: 'So it's ok to lump a huge area with just a single linked building? I'm sorry but Ivybridge is a long way from Totnes.

'I'm not going to be travelling to Totnes for a group that only lasts an hour.

'And who has said that us, as parents in Ivybridge, face the same issues as people in Totnes?'

Charlotte Rushton added: 'A lot of people move to Ivybridge when they have a new family and don't know anyone at all.

'If it wasn't for Seamoor I wouldn't have any 'mum' friends, and my son would have no friends his age.'

More on this story in this week's Gazette