AN influential European MP yesterday launched a remarkable attack on supermarket chain Safeway as he called for the company to save the threatened creche at its Darlington store.

Stephen Hughes, spokes-person on Employment and Social Affairs Issues for the Socialists in the European Parliament, has written a letter of objection to Carlos Perez, the Chief Executive of Safeway plc.

Safeway has been consulting with customers since announcing a month ago that it was considering closing the service to create more space for clothing and electrical goods at its Victoria Road store.

But Mr Hughes, Labour MEP for the North-East, said its closure would go against the spirit of European and British legislation and wreck Safeway's image as a family-friendly company.

Mr Hughes, who lives in Darlington and whose brief with Labour includes the balance between work and family life, said his children, Amelia and James, were frequent visitors to the creche.

He said: "I am extremely disappointed that Safeway is considering closing the Darlington creche. It is a valuable resource to the town, offering a safe, friendly and affordable place for children to go while their parents shop.

"Safeway's image of being family friendly will certainly be called into question when up and down the country they are closing their creche facilities.

"While we at EU level and our own Government put finance and legislation in place to help balance work and family life, it seems a retrograde step for Safeway to be taking to destroy the image they have worked so hard to promote.

"In Darlington there is a lot of competition for food stores - I have no doubt that parents will use cheaper alternatives to Safeway should the creche close. I know that my family and I will."

He said anyone wishing to object had until Wednesday to do so because the decision is expected to be announced on Thursday.

About 500 customers have signed the creche visitors book to complain, with others thought to have written letters or telephoned to object.

Many say the creche is the only reason they use Safeway.

A significant number are single parents and one mother said the service gave her valuable respite at a time when she was also caring for a seriously ill husband.

A spokesman for Safeway say it was unable legally to comment until the consultation process was completed.