SURE Start Centres in Enfield face the threat of closure because of slashes to the budget.

Enfield Council, which funds the vital childcare service, has suffered a £1.4million funding cut for Sure Start, which received £15.8m in 2010.

The service is now funded through the newly-introduced Early Intervention Grant, which the council must divide between a number of children and young people's services, including work with teenage parents and youth crime programmes.

Edmonton MP Andy Love said: "By reducing Sure Start funding and taking away the ring-fencing, the Government is forcing local councils to do its dirty work and scale back children’s centres themselves.

"I cannot overemphasise just how important Sure Start is. It is so much more than good quality, accessible child care. The centres are a unique and vital resource in communities across Edmonton, providing family health and support services, as well as links to employment services such as Jobcentre Plus and training providers."

Since March 2010, Enfield has met its target of 24 Sure Start Children's Centres providing services for parents and children.

Nine of them offer full day-care.

Responding to the MP's fears for Sure Start centres, Enfield Council said: "Sure Start and children's centres will continue for the time being but the council is working on a draft strategy to deal with effects of the cuts in Government funding.

"This strategy will go out to public consultation shortly."