zqWEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett has joined the fight to save Okehampton Open Door Family Centre — earmarked for closure in May.
The centre, which has helped and supported hundreds of families in the area over the last 16 years, is managed by NCH Action for Children — their contract has been dropped by Devon Social Services.
Mr Burnett said the family centre was 'absolutely vital'.
He said: 'I have just been told that this contract has been terminated and I am more than anxious to know why.
'Not only that, I want to know what Devon County Council propose to put in its place.'
Mr Burnett said he was surprised and annoyed he was not told about the situation earlier.
'I shall be making it clear to the county council the extent of the use of these services. The fact that there are 170 to 200 families using it highlights its success,' he said.
The MP said he would be meeting with NCH Action for Children directors to try and find out more.
Mr Burnett was 'incredibly impressed' by the many volunteers involved with Okehampton Family Centre and gave it his 'wholehearted support'.
The cntre at Tenby House provides a wide range of services, including drop-in sessions for families, a toy library, play schemes, young parents' groups, therapy sessions and a childminder support group.
Liz Westlake, chairman of the family centre's support group, said people who used the centre were 'devastated' by the news.
'I want to know who made the decision, was it made by a committee or one person and on what grounds?' said Mrs Westlake.
The support group has written to borough and county councillors to ask for their support, and are organising a petition.
'The closure of the family centre means there will be no major provider of family services in the Okehampton district,' she said.
'With the planned expansion of housing in Okehampton and growing demand for services, this seems very short-sighted,' Mrs Westlake said.
County councillor Coleen Herriman said: 'I am keeping very close tabs on what is happening. As a local member my responsibility is to ensure Okehampton ends up with a service that suits its needs in the best way.
'It's obviously a service that has been long and well used,; it's not about taking a service away, it's about looking at it and seeing if we can do it better,' she said.
Cllr Bill Cann said he would be taking the matter up at County Hall and investigating further.
'Over a hundred families use it so it's obviously a very important facility to them — it's a facility that Okehampton and the surrounding area can't afford to lose,' said Cllr Cann.
A spokesman for Devon County Council said: 'Lots of people might well drop in but in terms of social services we have only got five or six families referred for support by the family centre.'
He said the county and NCH Action for Children were working together to identify other ways key services could be maintained, particularly for children with disabilities, young parent groups and summer play schemes.
'The closure is a result of a contract review and has resulted in a re-focusing of services which will explore ways of meeting the wider needs of the community.
'We would like to reassure anyone in the area currently receiving support from social services that this support will continue.'