MUMS campaigning against the closure of Hob Green Children's Centre in Pedmore took to streets with their buggies to highlight how awkward catching a bus to other centres would prove.

The centre, on Hob Green Road, is one of seven earmarked for closure by Dudley Council as bosses attempt to save £26m over three years across all departments.

But parents who use the centre say it is a lifeline and have launched a major campaign to urge council chiefs to change their mind.

They have already started a petition and a Facebook page, and this morning (Thursday) they gathered at the bus stop outside the Queensway shops - only to be told by passing drivers that just two buggies at a time would be permitted on buses.

Campaign leader Heather Cheslin said: "I was told there's only room for two pushchairs and if there's a wheelchair on the bus only one pushchair."

The 36-year-old single mum of two said buggy limits on buses would make it impossible for a group of mums to catch public transport to their next nearest children's centre in Lye - which will become one of four main hubs.

She said the 1.2-mile trip would also be too far for parents to walk with more than one toddler in tow and she added: "It's not practical. A lot of mums would rather pay the £4 they would spend a day on buses to keep the centre open."

She said: "The staff here have been absolutely brilliant, we don't want to lose them.

"It takes a long time to build up trust. To start again with another support worker would be pretty daunting."

She said she is one of many people the centre has helped to overcome a variety of personal and social problems.

Fellow centre user Claire Busby, a 30-year-old mum of three, said: " If it hadn't been for the children's centre I don't know where I'd be now as I had severe post natal depression after my first two children were born."

She said staff had helped her endlessly - even visiting her at home to help her through tough times.

Mum-of-three Danielle Knowles, who has taken a variety of self-improvement classes at the centre, added: "I don't know what I'd do if it does close."

Donna Phipps, who suffered domestic abuse for ten years before finding help at the centre, added: "It has helped lots; it's like a family. It's really important that it stays open."

Dudley Council's children's services boss - councillor Tim Crumpton - said the closure proposals have been put forward with a "great deal of sadness" but there is no longer enough money in the pot to pay for all of them.

To have your say on the closure plan visit www.dudley.gov.uk or fill in a form at any children's centre. The closing date for the consultation is January 3 next year.