LABOUR'S parliamentary candidate for Warrington South is urging parents in the constituency to back the party's pledge to extend free nursery care for three and four year olds.

Nick Bent, unveiled new figures from the Family and Childcare Trust showing that the cost of childcare has risen by around 33 per cent nationally since 2010.

Mr Bent, who lives in Great Sankey, claims the average cost for 25 hours of childcare per week for families in Warrington is £98.10p - a figure which makes up 23 per cent of the average weekly wage of £427.70p in the town.

Labour is planning to extend free nursery care for three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours for working families, which would entitle 1,700 youngsters across Warrington to access the service.

"Parents tell me they are impressed with Labour’s pledge to extend free nursery care to 25 hours, as it will be worth over £1,500 per year for families with three and four year olds," said Mr Bent.

"This is worth voting for and shows that Labour will help families to boost their incomes and get on in life."

The party's shadow minister for childcare, MP Alison McGovern, who visited Woolston's Evolution Childcare nursery in December to highlight Labour's childcare polices, has reiterated her desire to ease the financial restraints on parents.

"These figures lay bare the extent of David Cameron’s failure – he is badly letting down working families," she said.

"Since 2010 the failing Tory plan has seen the costs of childcare soar - on top of this, there are over 40,000 fewer childcare places and wages are down £1,600 a year on average.

"Labour gets that Britain only succeeds when working families succeed.

"Our plan offers a better future for families struggling against the soaring cost and lack of availability of childcare, extending free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours, guaranteeing access to childcare for parents with primary age children through their local school, and delivering at least 50,000 more childcare places by doubling the number available at Sure Start centres."