Cuts to Portsmouth's Sure Start children's centres

Portsmouth's main children's centres will remain open but with reductions to the teams of staff running them and opening hours.

Portsmouth City Council, led by councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, announced last year it would save just over £1m from children's centres following budget cuts.

The teams for each of the 16 Sure Start centres will now be merged into nine, the council's cabinet has agreed.

Lisa Fletcher, who organised a protest by parents and children against the plans in April, said they are "saddened" by the decision.