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A petition signed by nearly 1500 people protesting the proposed closure of the Drumpellier Park nursery complex has been delivered to the council.

Passionate campaigners were backed by Coatbridge MP Hugh Gaffney and local councillors, including Airdrie’s Michael and Sophia Coyle, as they called for the facility to be saved outside the local authority’s headquarters.

The council plans to shut the complex, home to tropical and temperate plant species, ornamental gardens, a glasshouse and a water feature housing red-eared terrapins, in the autumn due to cost-cutting measures.

But GMB trade union official Barry Fletcher, who teamed up with Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor to launch the petition, is hopeful it can help save the community facility.

He said:“I have also written to the council for an urgent meeting to discuss the proposal to close the nursery.”

Mr MacGregor added:“I’m standing with the GMB union, the workers and the many members of the community calling on the council to immediately reverse this decision.” Budding young musicians can hone their skills at a music group hosted by Parent Action for Safe Play (PASP).

The Kirkshaws- based organisation runs the classes, which are aimed at nineto-16 year olds, on Fridays from 7pm to 9pm; contact 01236 426737 to find out further details.