Sure Start dubbed 'a great achievement'

Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said Sure Start centres had helped thousands of families to "become stronger and better able to cope with tough times".

She added: "The concern now is that there may be pressure for centres to become a service only for families in crisis as local budgets are reduced.

"It is so important that we keep building momentum to ensure that seeking out the local Sure Start becomes an instinctive part of becoming a parent. But this will only happen if Sure Start continues to provide relevant services for all families regardless of their social background."

4Children's campaign "Shout out for a Sure Start", which is backed by Children & Young People Now, is designed to help promote Sure Start centres.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "I'm proud to be supporting families across England who are today campaigning to save their Sure Start children's centre. These centres are now at the very heart of their local communities, providing essential services to parents and helping to give children the best possible start in life."

The Labour Party has accused the Conservatives of planning to cut Sure Start from families on middle and modest incomes, which would mean, Labour argues, that instead of the universal service it has created for all families, the Tories' plans to slash £200m each year from the Sure Start budget would see "one in five children's centres being forced to close".

But Maria Miller, Conservative shadow minister for families, said: "The Government is misleading the public over Conservative plans for the future of Sure Start — it's unfair to parents and Sure Start workers and has to stop.

"We are fully committed to a universal Sure Start service that better helps families. A Conservative government will ensure that families get more support from properly trained professionals by funding 4,200 additional Sure Start health visitors."