CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up the fight to keep the Greenock college campus nursery open as trade unions join the battle.

West College Scotland announced it would be shutting the centre, saying it was no longer financially viable.

The Tele recently highlighted Greenock mum Stephanie McNeil's attempts to keep it open, with hundreds of people signing her petition so far.

Now local elected members who back the Save Our College pressure group have welcomed an intervention from the unions and want others to follow suit.

Member Councillor Tommy McVey said: "Unite are opposing the closure of the nursery and refectory at the college.

"I also welcome their statement that local politicians should 'step up and protect these facilities'.

"The college is an asset to Inverclyde and we all want to see it thriving.

"However, these decisions only reinforce the view that there has been a continual downgrading of the Greenock campus in the last few years.

"It really is time that all of our elected representatives step up to the plate and say enough is enough.

"If they really want the best for Inverclyde then that should not be a difficult thing to do.

He is also praised student Stephanie for speaking out about the impact the decision will have on parents hoping to go to the college to study.

Cllr McVey said: "We need to listen to what students are saying."

His fellow independent elected member, Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld, says the shutdown makes no sense at a time when the area needs quality childcare more than ever.

Councillor Ahlfeld said: "It's ironic that we are very keen to encourage young parents to resume education and training, and yet take away one of the incentives which can be a key factor in persuading them to do so.

"In assessing whether to return to education and training, the convenience and child care factors are important.

"It is very regrettable that this decision has been taken."

Both Unison and Unite have vowed to fight the closures and say they have concerns for staff.

They want the college to agree to suspend the closure for 12 months.

Councillor Ciano Rebecchi of the Lib Dems has also been vocal in his fight to save the college from cuts and says the nursery must remain open.

But West College Scotland chiefs insist they have to focus on core activities.

Amy McDonald, vice principal of operations at WCS said: “West College Scotland remains unequivocally committed to providing further education to the communities we serve.

"However, to ensure that education provision is maintained to the highest standard the college must continue to be financially sustainable.

“This means that difficult decisions are having to be considered regarding loss-making non-core services, including the proposed closure of cross-campus West College Scotland nursery provision."

The college says it has commenced a consultation process with affected staff members and their union representatives and 'made it clear that any financially feasible alternatives brought to the college’s attention' will be considered.