This is Leicestershire --Campaigners staged another noisy protest outside Leicester Town Hall last night to object to proposed cuts to supervised play schemes.
About 200 demonstrators banging drums and bearing placards and banners gathered to express their concerns about a move to rethink the way 10 city play schemes are funded.
The city council spends about £900,000 a year funding the schemes – which are run by independent community groups – but wants to put their contracts out for re-tendering.
The campaigners fear the move will lead to financial cuts that will ultimately lead to the closure of the venues, which include eight council-owned adventure playgrounds.
This is despite the authority's insistence they will stay open.
Last night's protest, which included numerous children aged from five to 16, was aimed at city councillors meeting inside the Town Hall.
It followed a demonstration on Monday during which campaigners pushed their way up to the doors as councillors attempted to enter.
Last night, the council placed railings in Town Hall Square to keep protesters back, although the sound of beating drums and chants of "No more cuts" were audible inside.
The play schemes affected are adventure playgrounds at Braunstone, Goldhill, Highfields, Mowmacre, New Parks, St Andrew's, Woodgate and Northfields, Belgrave Playhouse and What Cabin, in St Matthew's.
Charlene Westley, whose 10-year-old son, Cameron, attends the Mowmacre play project, said: "I'm not sure people believe the council when they say none of the projects will close.
"That's why we came out, to make it clear how upset we are. These schemes have been running for years. The staff are trusted by children and parents and they provide a safe environment for our kids."
Kev Sherriff, chairman of the Leicester Playfair group, which represents the schemes, said: "We are concerned that the council has appointed a consultant to drive this through but haven't asked us what we think of the change.
"We know there need to be cuts and that they affect all parts of the council budget. We are not immune, but we haven't had a say in this."
After Monday's protest, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said there should be a "period of reflection" on the issue, but said: "The schemes have had substantial support from the council for many years but our financial situation has changed.
"We need to look at all elements of our spending. We do want to find a solution that keeps supervised play in the city."
Under the proposed changes, supervised play sessions in December and January would be scrapped.
Each scheme would provide 15 hours of play sessions a week. However, the projects say they currently provide up to 20 hours a week.
Under current arrangements, the schemes are paid to maintain the play venues, but if the changes went ahead the maintenance would be done by council parks staff instead.
Last night, assistant mayor for young people councillor Vi Dempster said she was going to put the re-tendering process on hold for three months.
She said: "We want to have a proper dialogue with the groups. I can make an assurance there is absolutely no intention to close any of these schemes." Reported by This is 9 hours ago.