Children’s centres will remain open after new contracts were announced.

All of the county’s 82 children’s centres will remain open after Hertfordshire County Council awarded new contracts yesterday that will save nearly £2million over the next three years.

Centres in the Borehamwood and Hertsmere East areas – which include the BECC, PB1, Furzefield, Shenley and Borehamwood Link children’s centres - will be run by Hertsmere Leisure as of April 1, 2015.

Cabinet member for children’s services Richard Roberts said: “I am delighted that the new children's centre programme builds on all the locally acquired knowledge and understanding of our communities to deliver the right levels of support.

“This will ensure that our children get the flying start to life that they need. Early years standards are already high in Hertfordshire, this new programme should build on that strength giving families the right level of support and confidence to succeed with their children.”