The Labour candidate in the Tooting by-election has visited parents and children whose children's centre is under threat with the former shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Rosena Allin-Khan spoke with parents at the Garratt Park children's centre in Earlsfield on Monday, May 23, as part of her campaign to become the next MP for Tooting.

Wandsworth Times:

April 30: Mums' plea for Garratt Park children's centre to continue running services for Earlsfield

March 18: Wandsworth Council open consultation to "de-designate" two children's centres in borough

She said: "I am concerned about the proposed changes [in consultation by Wandsworth Council].

"Currently the service are free stay and play and they are going to be pay and play.

"They provide a lot of vital outreach services, they identify families in need and mums at risk of post-natal depression.

"Research shows that support for young kids leads to better educational attainment, lower risk of obesity and keeps kids out of gangs."

Dr Allin-Khan said there was no provision for these outreach services in the current Wandsworth Council consultation, which would see the centre in Earlsfield 'de-designated' as a children's centre.

She said: "I am standing alongside councillor colleagues and submitting that we do not want this."