A CONSULTATION programme is continuing on the futures of four under threat Sure Start children’s centres.

Council chiefs want the public’s views on services at Billinge, Eccleston, Rainhill and Rainford, which could be axed as part of council cutbacks, and they want parents to fill in questionnaires.

The phase two Sure Start centres are aimed at young families, typically offering services like play groups, health tips and breastfeeding advice.

Closures would cut the number of Sure Start bases in St Helens from 12 to eight and could prompt an emotive response from parents. Dozens of mums protested in the town centre earlier this year, when the potential for cuts surfaced.

Sure Start centres in Parr, Sutton, Haydock, Moss Bank, Sutton Manor, Newton-le-Willows, Thatto Heath and the town centre - look set to be protected but the future of the others appears bleak, with the council still looking at ways it can make savings of £28.1m by 2012.

Families who use the under-threat centres may be able to use other Sure Start centres on the local network should closures be forced through.

St Helens Council announced the consultation exercise “is part of a proposed overhaul of the support the council gives to vulnerable families”.

The council added that “at the heart of the plans is a new Early Intervention Service – which aims to provide targeted help to those in need”.

Cabinet Member for children, Councillor Eric Smith, said: “We want to hear about peoples’ experiences of accessing services in their local children’s centre.

“The views of the children themselves are also important.”

A questionnaire is available for residents in Billinge, Eccleston, Rainford and Rainhill at the consultation page of the St Helens Council website.