JOBS are at risk as major changes have been approved to children's centres in the town - with services set to be reduced.

Warrington Borough Council has agreed for a 'redesign' to save £238,000.

It will see five sites lose their status as official children's centres, meaning services can be cut back, and Ofsted will not carry out inspections.

Included are Meadow View Children's Centre, Culcheth, Butterflies Children's Centre, Woolston, and Lymm Children's Centre.

All three will be taken over by LiveWire, and will continue to offer health services, although other services can be reduced.

Cygnet's Children's Centre in Appleton will also be 'de-designated', with services linked to Westy Children's Centre.

And the status of Callands Children's Centre will go, instead linked to a new 'super' site on Liverpool Road, Great Sankey.

Sankey Valley Children's Centre will close, although services will be moved to the 'super' site.

Sankey Valley St James Primary School is in discussions to take over the building so it remains in use.

Woodlands Children's Centre in Birchwood was set to lose its status, with services instead linked to Orchards Children Centre, Padgate.

However, following concerns from parents at Birchwood Primary School, where Woodlands is based, the council has changed its proposal.

Instead, children's services will continue at Woodlands, but will be reduced by 50 per cent to allow childcare for two-year-olds to be run by the school.

Staff are also at risk, although the council claims there will be 'few, if any' compulsory redundancies

However, a consultation is due to take place this month, with employees likely to be offered different roles, contracts, or reduced hours.