Parents dig in against nursery in pub plans

So far around 200 people have signed the online appeal to find an alternative venue for Woodburn Community Nursery rather than moving into Dalkeith Miners Club, which are licensed premises.

The new proposal would see youngsters taught in a hall with a restricted bar area and an adjoining sports bar.

Under the plans, almost 40 children aged between two-and-a-half and five will receive their pre-school education inside the miners club.

Campaigners said it was "ridiculous" to educate youngsters in a room where alcohol is served - even if shutters are closed - and countered with a plan to relocate to a disused building in Woodburn.

They also baulked at unconfirmed rumours they may have to fork out a 3000 a year to use the club even though the old premises were free.

Midlothian Council is under pressure to save around 3.5 million this year and has earmarked the nursery's current home at Dalkeith Community Centre for demolition.

It is thought up to 800,000 would be needed to bring that building up to scratch, while the parents' preferred venue - the former Thornybank Nursing building - is believed to require repairs costing in excess of 1m.

Nursery manager Denise Smith said: "I am meant to provide a safe and stimulating environment for young children, which I cannot do being near people with alcohol.

"The whole community is on our side. The only people who think it is a wonderful idea is Midlothian Council.

"I keep getting told it's a club. I understand it's a club but from 11am they've only got the bar open so to me that's a pub environment."

Ms Smith said Midlothian had opted for the club because it did not want to pay to refurbish more suitable premises.

Mother-of-four, Paula McPheators, 41, said her daughter Zoe, four, attended Woodburn Nursery, while her two-year-old son Oliver is to follow suit later this year.

She said: "I think it's very wrong for a number of reasons. A licensed premise is not safe and not right for two-and-a-half-year-olds going into.

"Scotland has got major alcohol problems and they're going to be sending children into a licensed premises, which is not the right environment and not a good advert."

Midlothian Councillor Peter Boyes, cabinet member with responsibility for communities, said Dalkeith Community Centre was "no longer fit for purpose".

"As a first step, the Miners Welfare Club has agreed to provide accommodation for Woodburn Community Nursery - a non-council-owned nursery," he said. "We are committed to ensuring that this new accommodation meets the needs of the parents and children and complies with the requirements of Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (formerly the Care Commission].

"We have held discussions with nursery management and we will continue these discussions in private rather than conducting our business through the media."