SOME of County Durham's smallest schools could be forced into closure if a £600,000 Children's Centre opens in Weardale, it was claimed yesterday.

Councillor John Shuttleworth criticised Durham County Council for having a "hidden agenda" behind its plans for a SureStart centre at Stanhope Barrington Primary School, which would offer child care as well as a range of family services.

He said: "It is all about removing surplus places.

"Our smallest schools are at risk.

"Stanhope Barrington has 67 surplus places. If parents have their children in child care at Stanhope they will keep them at the school.

"Smaller schools like Frosterley, Rookhope and Wearhead will be vulnerable.

"There are empty places at nurseries at Rookhope and Frosterley. Why do we need another place?

"There was no consultation before this decision. People just don't want it. It is a waste of public money."

The Government-run SureStart centre is one of 30 due to open in deprived areas of County Durham over the next two years.

As well as offering full day care for under-fives, it would link with health education and employment services to support older children and families both at Stanhope and at outreach sessions in outlying villages.

But a meeting in Stanhope Methodist Church schoolroom yesterday heard that 99 per cent of comments collected at earlier sessions in Weardale had been negative.

Karen Veitch, from the privately-run Emerald Nursery, at Frosterley, said: "People are fundamentally disturbed about the situation.

"I haven't heard any suggestions for the use of the children's centre that will work or that are not already duplicated in Weardale."

Mother-of-two Janet Lonsdale, from Ireshopeburn, said: "£600,000 would be better spent on services instead of a building."

Stanhope Parish Council has objected to Durham County Council's planning application for the centre, claiming that it would cause parking problems at the Barrington.

A Durham County Council spokeswoman said: "There is no reason why the centre should make other schools vulnerable.

"It is about far more than childcare. There are a full raft of facilities supporting families through healthcare, employment and education and will act as a hub for outreach services across the whole dale."