A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save the Walpole Family Centre.

The Examiner reported last week how users of the centre, in Walpole Road, Crosland Moor, were furious that Kirklees Council Social Services had earmarked it for redevelopment.

Protesters met on Wednesday to bolster their fight and demand that the centre continues to be the community's focal point.

The centre, founded in 1992, is used as a children's nursery, for Citizens' Advice and a toy library.

Councillors also hold surgeries there and it is a meeting place for Asian women and a baby group.

Beverley Edwards, chairman of Walpole Tenants and Residents' Association, urged the community to unite to fight the plans.

"We will do whatever it takes to make sure this plan does not go ahead," she said.

"If they take the family centre away it would make a huge impact on Walpole, because there is always something going on in the building," she added.

"For example, it is used as a place where children in care can spend time with their parents. That is vital. Where would it happen if the centre went?

"We have already started petitions and now we need everyone to get behind us and save the centre."

At Wednesday's meeting, held at the Mohammed Ali Sports and Community Centre, a new committee for the Walpole association was appointed to help mastermind the campaign.

Treasurer Iona Gabrielli said that if the family centre closed anti-social behaviour would increase.

She added: "The reason kids do vandalism and smash things up is because they have nothing to do.

"We now have a new committee and are determined to keep the centre, We can get together more and give people things to do and activities to keep children occupied in the school holidays."

Dave Bennett, of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, said he would tell the council about the level of feeling over the centre.

"The position is, as yet, not clear, but I will tell people how much this centre means to the people."

The council says it is too early to give details of when and where the new centre will be built.

It has given no firm answer on whether the centre will actually close.