CUTS to community services would be short-sighted and self-defeating, a councillor has claimed.

Coun Steve Allsopp (Lab, Parks) highlighted the costs to the council of fostering children, arguing prevention is better than cure he told a Swindon Council meeting.

"Would the lead member agree that the work of prevention is important and that the cuts to the family centres is probably short-sighted and in the long-term self-defeating," he asked Coun Ian Dobie (Con, Haydon Wick), lead member social services.

Coun Dobie said there was other provision in the areas affected and he was confident the need could be met.