LABOUR politicians and trade union leaders have demanded the borough council halt plans to cut the number of courses at Woolston's Trade Union Learning Centre.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones and Woolston councillor Paul Bretherton claim the centre's trade union learning rep is being edged out by a private training provider brought in by the Lib Dem-Tory coalition.

"There is a persistent rumour that the council wants to close the learning centre," said Clr Bretherton.

"It is hypocritical to be restricting opportunities for their own employees while complaining about funding for the Collegiate, which has risen by nearly £3m since 2001."

Unionlearn project worker Ged Bretherton said: "The council has now brought in a private training provider, has denied the learning rep on site the time which used to be available to assist others and is set on restricting the number of courses on offer."

Mrs Jones said: "The whole idea behind trade union learning reps was for them to be able to help people at work access the kind of learning they felt they wanted.

"Instead, the council seems to be determined to have a top-down' approach by restricting the choices available.

"I call on them to rethink their plans."

But the council said that courses would not be cut and that the changes would save money.

"The council is not cutting staff training courses and we have never had any plans to do so," said Paula Darlington, head of environmental management.

"We are relocating the facilities to another site, so all employees still have access to a wide range of courses as before.

"Woolston will now be used to accommodate staff who will be relocated from other depots across Warrington, as part of an efficiency saving plan."

Ms Darlington added that a new horticultural centre of excellence being built at Walton Hall demonstrated the council's commitment to staff training.