MOTHERS and babies were queuing out the door to get a space at Ramsbottom’s newly-launched children’s centre.

The baby stay and playgroup opened for the first time on November 5 when 34 babies and their mothers enjoyed a morning of socialising at Ramsbottom Civic Hall.

Cllr Luise Fitzwalter said: “The group got off to a brilliant start with 34 mums, babies and grannies. Infact, they were queuing at the door before it started.

“There was a mother there who had not managed to get out of the house since giving birth six weeks earlier.

“This proves that there’s a real need for these groups so mothers can get out more often.

“It was so relaxed and I learnt a lot just as a granny – I even went home and made a little something for my grandson."

Cllr Fitzwalter spent months of working with the chairman of Bury West and North Children’s Centre Hub and Bury Council to bring about the group after Ramsbottom’s children centre was closed last year.

She now hopes to see children’s centres open in Peel Brow, Holcombe Brook and Nuttall Park.

Cllr Fitzwalter added: “It was wonderful to see so many people interested in the group.

“Thanks go to the organisers from the Bury West and North Children’s Centre Hub, especially Tracey Kavanagh who runs the group and to Samantha O’Brien the manager of the civic hall. She’s absolutely amazing and has also set up and runs Rhyme Time for toddlers and parents at 10am every Thursday.

“I hope we can do more with the help of the local community and the hub.”

The baby stay and playgroup takes place weekly on Thursdays from 11am to noon.