Children's centres across Shropshire are under threat following a proposed shake-up of services.

The Sure Start Centres - which are based across the county including Oswestry's Holy Trinity Primary School and Ellesmere Primary School - are 'one-stop shops' for all children under five and their families and offer support ranging from children and early education, to health services.

But a consultation launched last week reveals they may soon be replaced with other community venues such as coffee shops.

The report for the new 'Early Help' delivery model states: "This new service would be modelled around Early Help family workers who will be based in the community so they are closer to where the families who need our support live.

"This will mean they can reach out to these families to work with them at home or in places they are most comfortable; this could be a local community venue or even a coffee shop.

"Informal venues like coffee shops are often preferred by families we have worked with who feel more able to have an open and honest conversation in a relaxed environment, creating a better relationship between the individual and the worker."

The changes being proposed aim to save more than £870,000 and follows on from pilot projects that have taken place with families in Oswestry.

The report adds: "We recommend that developing a new delivery model will create new opportunities and better benefits for children and families.

"A new model would provide the best value for money and the best opportunity to improve outcomes and reduce demand on children's social care and education services.

"This would give us the opportunity to bring together the skills and expertise across current Early Help services and provide a more seamless and joined up approach to working with families as a whole as opposed to individual problems or age groups."

The consultation runs until March 6 and can be accessed via https://shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/new-early-help-delivery-model/

Feedback will be shared with Shropshire Council's Cabinet in April.