CONCERNED parents have been reassured a popular service will remain in place - despite council plans to dramatically slash its budget.

Trustees for the charity which runs Darlington’s toy library have said the service will stay open, even though Darlington Borough Council is set to cut £54,000 from its budget this financial year, with a further £20,000 being cut the next year.

The council has said it is consulting residents on the plans and no decision has been taken.

The charity has said it will try to make up shortfalls through alternative funding from sources such as grants and volunteers’ time.

The statement from the charity came after worried parents concerned about the future of the service contacted The Northern Echo.

Lorna Wilson, who lives in the Firthmoor area of town, said the service was excellent.

“It would be a real shame if it was affected by this,” she said. “It is a really good service.”

Another parent, who did not want to be named, told The Northern Echo: “It is a great facility which allows parents to rent larger or more expensive items. It would be a real loss if it were to be affected. We were really disappointed to hear the council is thinking about cutting their funding.”

Anne Redhead, chairwoman of the trustees of Darlington Story Sack and Toy Resources Charity, said: “We are grateful for all the public support in connection with the future service we can offer in relation to Darlington Borough Council budget proposals.

“We would like to clarify that the charity has every intention of continuing to provide the service and are going to be meeting with council representatives next week to discuss possible commissioning of the service.

“This could mean that we will need to seek future external funding to make up the anticipated shortfall.

“We will be conducting an extensive survey with members and residents to help us plan for the future of the charity.”

She added the service would continue to be based at Darlington’s Corporation Road School and thanked headteacher Peter King for his support.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said the cuts were proposals, with a decision yet to be made.

Residents could have their say by attending a Talking Together event or visiting darlington.gov.uk/budgetconsultation and any changes to the service would not take place until next academic year.

She said: “The council is committed to continuing the services provided by Darlington Storysack and Toy Resources.

“However, we can confirm the current proposals for the budget 2010/11 set out a requirement to secure £50,000 in savings over the coming financial year which, if approved, may impact on how the service will be delivered.”