The proposal by Falkirk Council to merge Woodburn and Queen Street Nurseries has been described as "vandalism".

Residents in the Bog Road area of Falkirk are unhappy over plans to close Woodburn and send young children to Queen Street.

The council also wants to amalgamate Glenfair Nursery with Camelon Children's Centre and Grangemouth Day Nursery with Inchyra Nursery.

Education chiefs said the moves would provide more flexible care, affordable childcare and effective early intervention to improve learning and attainment.

But more than 870 letters objecting to the proposed closure of Woodburn have been collected by the recently formed Thornwood Residents' Association.

Chairperson Liz Godfrey said: "I believe this demonstrates the strength of feeling that exists within the area to preserve and develop the services at the Woodburn Day Nursery. I hope that the powers that be recognise the views of the people are much against their proposals and act accordingly.''

Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson joined the objectors and said to close the nursery would be contrary to the council's policy of community participation.

He said: "The nursery is a well- established local facility whose staff play an active part in the wider community."

Councillor David Alexander also opposes the proposal. He said: "The consultation document opens with a claim that Falkirk Council is operating under a tight financial settlement..

"However, the council's education budget rose by 11.4 per cent from the Scottish Government and we should be expanding services not cutting them."

Following objections to the proposed mergers in all three areas, the council ran a second period of public consultation which finished at the end of June.

A council spokesperson said all the correspondence received would be collated and a full report sent to August's education committee.