Parents have urged island councillors to rethink plan to close a dedicated language support unit for children in Orkney.
Orkney Islands Council has agreed plans to close the unit at Papdale School in Kirkwall at the end of the school year.
The service will instead be delivered as an outreach programme, with pupils receiving sessions in their own school.
The plans have provoked a backlash from parents who have called for the facility to be saved.
An online petition has been set up and has attracted more than 350 signatures calling for the council to have a rethink.
It was set up Lisa Groundwater, 33, whose son Alie, 4, has recently started attending sessions at the unit after being referred by his nursery and speech therapist.
Alie had been on a waiting list for a place at the Papdale unit for some time – and Mrs Groundwater believes the council should be looking to expand the service instead of cutting it.
She said: “It is a fantastic service and there’s lots more children waiting to get a place.
“I don’t think the council are thinking of the kids with this decision.”
The outreach service will see class teachersand dedicated language staff provide support for pupils in schools.
The council are hoping to save costs associated with staff and travel allowances for taking children from across the islands to Kirkwall for sessions.
Mrs Groundwater said: “I don’t see how it will work because teachers in class do not have time to dedicate specifically to this.
“I wondered if parents who have to travel in might have supported it but the feeling seems to be that having that dedicated time to help the kids is best.”
A spokeswoman for the council said: “The language unit, as a service that the council provides, is not closing.
“Currently, pupils accessing the language unit are transported into Kirkwall for their sessions.
“From August, the language unit will operate as an outreach facility meaning that pupils will receive their sessions in their own school, from dedicated language staff alongside support from in-school staff.
“Savings will be achieved through this change in both staffing and transport costs.”
Parents discovered the change through local media after staff were notified earlier in the week.
The council spokeswoman added: “Clearly this was not the way we wanted things to unfold.
“All the parents concerned will receive a letter in the coming days, inviting them to a meeting so that we can discuss with them fully of the changes that are due to be implemented.”