A COMMUNITY group is set to take over two Lewisham early years centres.

Sunrise, a social enterprise, was put together to take over nurseries in Ladywell and Honor Oak, after Lewisham Council announced plans to axe their funding last year.

The enterprise was backed last night by Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock, meaning Sunrise could take over the centres by September, subject to the negotiation of contracts.

A previous decision on the scheme had been postponed to give parents and teachers behind Sunrise the chance to improve their business plan

Another nursery, Rushey Green in Catford, had also been threatened with the axe until staff put forward a proposal to run it themselves.