BURNLEY Borough Council today pledged it would recruit a number of part-time workers for after-school and evening play activities following criticism of redundancies last year.

The assurance came a year after nine full-time and five part-time workers were laid off under 'restructuring'.

The new proposal is for the service to be run by two full-time and 12 part-timers. Two full-time and five part-time posts have been filled, leaving seven part time vacancies available, three at 16 hours and four at 14 hours per week.

Meetings took place between councillors, council officers and members of a campaign against the cuts.

The lobby group have held protest meetings outside the town hall, including a candlelit vigil.

But Mike Waite, head of community and recreation services, said the restructuring programme had been carefully planned and would make the service more efficient.

He said: "The proposals mean that a term-time programme of late afternoon and early play activities similar to the current one can continue.

"Alongside this a range of positive changes which will make the programme run more smoothly."

He said the council would work with other agencies, schools and community groups to set up new term-time sessions.

There would also be more emphasis on helping to get external grants to boost the range of activities for children.

Joe Fallows, play work development officer, added: "The council is also reviewing when and where its play sessions are run.

"We run the schemes from 11 centres in the borough, plan to run the service during term time and encourage staff to take holidays out of this time.

"The final programmes will be based on clear principles and will ensure the council's work is best used to meet children's needs."

The restructuring will include moving from a mainly full-time team to mainly part-time and support was offered to staff affected by redundancy in relation to highlighting other job opportunities.

Anybody who is interested in applying for one of the seven positions left to be filled should contact Burnley Borough Council on 01282 425011.