Parents whose children attend Bradford Council's only workplace nursery are fighting to save the service after learning it will close later this year.

They were told last month that Cavell House in Manning-ham, which caters for up to 78 children under five, is no longer "financially viable" and that it will close in August.

But the parents have banded together in a bid to reverse the decision and say they want time to be able to put a business plan together.

Until last March, Cavell House received a £200,000-a-year subsidy from the Council, then parents began paying higher fees, which are comparable with a private nursery.

But one of the problems is that it is only 65 per cent full with 65 part-time children and 12 full-timers as of last month.

Andrew Wood, who works in the parks and landscape service, has a child who attends Cavell House.

He said: "It gives our children a fantastic start in life.

"It was set up to encourage people back to work in the knowledge that their children are being looked after by the same organisation they work for. It is a privilege that is now being taken away from us."

Sian Partridge, whose daughter attends the nursery, is equally passionate about the excellent childcare at Cavell House. She said: "We weren't consulted. We were handed a letter in December by staff saying a decision had been made.

"We want the chance to work out a plan to make it viable."

Parents now have a meeting with the Council's children's service bosses on Thursday.

Councillor Colin Gill, the Council's executive member for children's services, said: "We are aware that parents are worried about the proposed closure of Cavell House and we are liaising with them to address any concerns they have. There are a range of support mechanisms being put in place including fortnightly one-to-one information sessions for Cavell House parents which will begin this week.

"Parents are also being given individual advice on alternative childcare places which meet their needs and the needs of their children.

"This year there are a number of new children's centres opening with new childcare facilities. They provide the opportunity to relocate our excellent staff at Cavell House to these centres as well as providing childcare places for the children.

"I have invited parents to meet with me and other members of Children's Services to discuss their concerns.

"As part of a business plan last year the Council attempted to promote Cavell House to parents who are not Council employees and increase the number of children attending by marketing the service to other large employers.

"Unfortunately, the number of children at Cavell House has not risen and the nursery is simply not financially viable. In a time of tight budgets, the Council can't continue to subsidise it. The decision to close Cavell House has not been an easy one, but I have a duty to ensure that the limited money available is used as fairly as possible for all the children of Bradford."