THE decision on where to move the children's centre in Okehampton is yet to be made due to a lack of suitable locations in the town, the county council said last week.

Members of Okehampton Town Council at a planning committee meeting questioned the idea of relocating the facility to Okehampton College.

The children's centre, which offers a range of services to young families in the town, is currently housed in the Ockment Centre.

A representative from Devon County Council, Roger Grainger, attended the town council meeting and told councillors there was a possibility the administration side of the centre would be based at the college.

He said: 'We received a letter from the Ockment Centre that they were unable to expand.

'We then had to look at the best possible options to provide a children's centre in the town.

'We are still looking at options and that is what they are at the moment — just options.'

The children's centre, which is run by Barnardo's, has been at the Ockment Centre for the last 18 months.

Under the Sure Start banner it brings together childcare, early education, health and family-support services for families with children under five years old.

It was set up under a Government scheme and funds were given to the county council to operate the service.

The Ockment Centre had been in danger in the past due to lack of funding.

In October the county council granted funds to pay for essential repairs on the roof and heating system, which came to a total of £25,000.

Okehampton town councillor Kay Bickley said: 'I wouldn't personally be happy to see a children's centre at the college.

'It's often the young mums that need support with parenting and they will see it as going back to school.

'It would be far better to have a centre on neutral ground.'

Town councillor and Ockment Centre trustee, Tony Leech, agreed.

He said: 'I would be concerned if young mothers had to go to the college with their children.

'It would almost be like they were going back to school again and they may feel intimidated.'