DURING the school summer holidays for the last two years, my son has enjoyed the Kids Klub at the Glades Leisure Centre, and was looking forward to returning again this year.

As usual, the places were offered on a first-come-first-served basis, but unfortunately, despite all my efforts during work, on the first day of booking I was unable to get him a place on the days I requested.

As I understand it, this year free places have been offered to parents on income support or housing benefit and I am told 60 per cent of places have been allocated to them. Surely this is unfair on working parents who need affordable child care for the summer holidays, but cannot take time out of work to stand in a queue or keep trying to telephone the hotline.

Those parents entitled to free places are probably not working, therefore have the time to stand in the queues and are able to look after their own children all summer holidays if necessary.

Working parents, like me, miss out because so many free places have been allocated and we also finance these free places through our Council Tax.

All this at a time when Wyre Forest District Council is having to make cuts in its leisure budget to save money.

Surely it is commonsense to fill the places with paying customers first, before offering free places.

May I ask what have our children done to deserve losing their play areas and now their summer play scheme places, due to poor business management?

Mrs S MOULE

Orchard Close

Bliss Gate