A BATCHLEY crche threatened with closure has won a stay of execution.

Worcestershire County Council has agreed to carry on funding The Children's Centre, Hawthorne Road, while negotiations about its future continue.

The popular 20-year-old crche was earmarked for closure on March 18 after the county decided to withdraw its funding.

Town MP Jacqui Smith said: "I'm pleased to hear the crche has won a reprieve.

"I feel the original decision to cease funding was taken too quickly as this is a valuable scheme and I would not wish to see it close.

"I have been contacted by parents who use these facilities who would be unable to find a similar service elsewhere and I urge all those concerned to find a speedy solution."

However, crche spokeswoman Sarah Martin said she would "reserve judgement" until the long-term future of the facility had been decided.

"It's good news but we still don't know how long the funding will last," she said.

The county council is also urging parents to use nursery places or risk losing them.