A UNION spokesperson has spoken of the 'devastation' that the decision to close two children's nurseries in Tilbury will bring to the local community.

As Thurrock Nub News reported earlier today, Thurrock Council has announced it will close the Little Pirates and Neptune nurseries on Friday, 15 July.

A statement from the UNISON union says: "UNISON were present at a meeting where staff were told they would likely lose their jobs after Thurrock Council said it could no longer afford to provide the services directly and had failed to find a new private provider.

Thurrock UNISON branch secretary Peter Sansom said: "Nursery staff are absolutely devastated at the news that Little Pirates and Neptune will close. They're not just upset at the prospect of losing the jobs they love — they know what a blow it is to their local communities too.

"But unless Thurrock and central government get their acts together, there will be a barrage of cuts to come, with meals and wheels and these nurseries just the first on the chopping block.

"We urgently need a cash injection from central government or our communities won't be able to cope."