SOMERSET County Council has removed its logo and changed the wording on a document after complaints that it was misleading.

It gave the impression that it provided a host of children’s services when the majority of those in West Somerset were run by volunteers and charities.

The county council was called to task on a document widely circulated in connection with closing a number of Sure Start Children’s Centres.

It was entitled ‘Somerset Early Childhood Support and Services Offer’ and had the council logo on the front – but several people challenged it.

West Somerset Labour party member Kathrine See, who has led a campaign to save the children’s centres, complained it was misleading – and then she found out at a council meeting that the document had been changed.

The logo was removed and the wording now says: ‘Early childhood support and services on offer in Somerset’.

“It was very misleading,” said Kathrine. “It made it appear that it was what [the council] were offering to provide.

“When I went through the section for West Somerset, 70 per cent of the list were groups and services provided by volunteers, franchises and other individuals not employed by the county council.

“I challenged them about this and, at the cabinet meeting, the council admitted it had changed the design due to feedback they received.

“This doesn’t, however, take away from the fact that 70 per cent of services are provided by unregulated bodies and very little from Somerset County Council.”

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said almost 300 activities take place in about 150 locations across the county for families and children, which the document set out.

“These activities have always been a mix of local authority and community-run services. Across the county more than half are currently provided or commissioned by the council and at no stage has it been claimed otherwise,” she added.