A family support service will be dropped by cash-strapped council chiefs - a move which will cause "fundamental damage to a vulnerable part of the community".

Hertfordshire County Council’s Children’s Services Panel has decided Home-Start’s home-visiting service to families struggling with children under five should not be continued.

Council bosses believe the county’s 84 children’s centres will be able to support the 395 families which use the home-visit service in a move that would also save £390,000 a year.

The decision has been branded "short-sighted", "concerning" and "untenable" by opposition politicians and charity workers.

Reacting to the news, St Albans scheme manager, Suzy Moody, said: "It is such a shame, despite presenting clear evidence of how support from Home Start has improved local children’s immediate and long term outcomes, it seems this was not taken on board.

"It is well documented that early intervention reduces escalation of crisis and the need for higher cost interventions at a later date, therefore withdrawing funding from an intensive, low cost home visiting service such as Home Start is a temporary cost saving exercise and in my mind contradicts the County Council’s aim to save money.

"At Home Start St Albans City and District we are now focusing on the way forward, we are committed to supporting our current families and they of course remain our priority, but alongside that we face major uncertainty about our future.

"We have had some donations from a couple of local business’, a community group and some of our local councillors for which we are really grateful; however in order to continue to support vulnerable families and children, we need to secure £60,000.

"We are actively campaigning for local business’ and the community to support us in raising funds to keep Home Start going."

The funding will be stopped in September.

County Councillor Richard Roberts, cabinet member for children’s services, said the decision was no way a reflection on Home-Start and its volunteers.

He vowed that vulnerable families would "not fall through the cracks" and said the proposed decision had not been taken "purely for financial reasons".

Councillor Roberts said: ""We will continue to work with our partners in health, community groups and the voluntary sector to help parents give their children the best possible start in life.

"Our 82 children’s centres offer targeted support to parents of the 76,972 children in Hertfordshire under the age of five.

"With more than 90 per cent of families in Hertfordshire registered with their local children’s centre, they are perfectly placed to help families who need support the most.

"And for those who do not feel able to attend a children’s centre, there are outreach services which include visits at home.

"Although these proposals will save Hertfordshire council taxpayers £390,000 a year from 2016/17, this is not just about reducing costs.

"The landscape is very different from when contracts were first awarded to Home-Start nearly seven years ago and I am convinced that the new arrangements will continue to provide high quality support for children and families."

Councillor Roberts added: "This decision is in no way a reflection on Home-Start and its volunteers.

"I fully appreciate their hard work to support vulnerable families and sincerely hope that together we can find a way to ensure that this much valued charity has a sustainable future."

The Conservative-controlled council’s decision has been called "short sighted" and "damaging" by rival political figures.

A petition has been set up on the county council website. To view it, click here.

Will this decision affect you? Leave a comment below or email charlotte.ikonen@london.newsquest.co.uk.