Parents lost their fight to stop six being turned into three at a stormy meeting of Falkirk Council's education committee.

It voted by eight to four to close Glenfair Nursery in Camelon, Woodburn Day Nursery in Falkirk and Grangemouth Day Nursery and amalgamate them with Camelon Children's Centre, Queen Street Nursery and Inchyra Nursery School in June next year.

Tuesday's meeting was switched to the council chambers to allow dozens of anxious parents in to hear the debate.

And there were gasps from the public gallery when Camelon Councillor Joe Lemetti voted for the changes.

Mr Lemetti had voiced concerns when the moves, part of the council's new approach to preparing three to five-year-olds for school, were announced in March.

He successfully called for more consultation with families and carers and was seen by them as a key supporter of the campaign for no change.

After the vote the parents stormed out in disgust with one angry mum telling him he "should be ashamed".

Earlier Mr Lemetti said he had visited the nurseries involved and listened to what the parents had to say.

He denied he had been put under pressure by the Labour Group to support the plans and insisted: "I believe we are going to provide more than adequate provision for children of nursery school age."

The SNP called for the status quo to be maintained and said the whole consultation exercise had been "botched".

Former convener Councillor Tom Coleman claimed the education service had lost the confidence of the public. He said: "Around 2000 people have said they did not want this proposal, but opposition has been met
with a blank and cynical response."

Convener Alex Waddell said the council was following the early years development directive ordered by the SNP-led Scottish Government and Cosla, the Convention of Scottish local Authorities.

Nigel Fletcher, head of educational support, told the committee an extensisve survey of childcare provision had revealed the need for:
- The creation of more baby and toddler places with appropriate hours to meet demand.
- More extended day and year provision.
- Nursery classes in primary schools which do not have them.
- The development of early years centres by amalgamating existing nursery schools and day nurseries to provide integrated education and childcare all year round.

It was confirmed the three nurseries to close will not be sold in the immediate future and that a nursery class in Beancross Primary School will be opened as soon as the money is available.

Parents will also be invited to take part in talks with education services and teachers to make sure the amalgamated centres are ready to open next summer.