A PLAYSCHEME which provides childcare for civil servants' children during school holidays is to close, it was announced yesterday.

Employees at Mowden Hall, in Darlington, and trade union officials criticised the "shocking" decision to shut down the 48-place scheme, which many fear could leave parents struggling to juggle work and childcare.

Staff were told yesterday that the closure of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) subsidised scheme will take effect from May 1.

It provides care for children of Mowden Hall employees, where the DfES, Department for Work and Pensions, Inland Revenue and Capita are based.

The playscheme has been commended in the past by education watchdog Ofsted for the quality of care it offers.

Employees who are affected have been promised childcare vouchers to help them meet the cost of finding alternative facilities, but last night fears were raised as to how the closure would affect staff and the Darlington community.

One member of staff, who did not want to be named, said: "I'm a single parent, and my family don't live in Darlington.

"I'm worried I will not be able to work during school holidays as I will have no one to look after my daughters."

Terry Hegarty, branch secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU), branded the move a "crude attempt to cut costs" that would put increased pressure on other childcare resources in Darlington.

"Withdrawing these provisions will result in some of our members being forced to give up work as they can no longer afford childcare fees," he said.

"The effect for the wider community is that local people and DfES employees will now be competing with each other to try to secure 48 childcare places through holiday periods. So not only will our members be affected, but so will every working parent in Darlington and the surrounding area who needs access to childcare during the school holidays."

Mr Hegarty added that the PCSU would be asking Government ministers to look at the situation.

A DfES spokeswoman said they were keen to provide effective support for their workers, but had to consider best value-for-money options.

"We are currently talking to staff in Darlington to allay any fears, and to develop an action plan of steps to take to meet the needs of the staff," she said.