Campaigners who fought to save Buckinghamshire's children's centres for two years say they have "done all they could" after their appeal against the county council's decision to shut 19 of them down was unsuccessful.

Bucks County Council decided in March to close 19 of the 35 centres it operates, with the remaining restructured into ‘Family Centres’ offering a different model of provision - and despite two years of fighting against the plans, the council's replacement service launched on Monday.

The decision upset hundreds of families who rely on their vital services - and one 32-year-old mum from High Wycombe, who wants to stay anonymous to protect her children, rallied lawyers to apply for a judicial review at the High Court, but it was turned down in July.

Lead children's centre campaigner Alka Dass said she was "sad" to report that their appeal against the judge's decision was unsuccessful.

She said: "I have tried to think what else we can do but to be honest, we have done what we could.

"It’s been a really long battle and one which I am very sad and disappointed about but we have all fought very hard and all played a role in this.

"We have also had amazing achievements and I believe we have tried everything we possibly could to stop these closures.

"Without this campaign group, we could not have kept the centres open for as long as we have and that comes down to groups of people and communities coming together, councillors fighting our corner and asking questions and legal challenges and constant scrutiny as well as media support.

"I am personally very sad to see Millbrook as well as others being closed down as it was one of the centres I was very reliant upon during my difficult times. The staff became an extension of my family and even though I may not visit as much as I do - when I walk in, I know I am in a safe place.

"To the staff that work at the centres, I hope you are part of the new model and in secure positions. We hope you will continue supporting us as we will continue supporting you."

The new family centres which have now replaced the children's centres are spread across the whole of Bucks, this three of them being "family centre plus" sites - Mapledean Family Centre in High Wycombe, Newtown Family Centre in Chesham and Southcourt Family Centre in Aylesbury.

The county council says their new family support service - which launched on Monday - will offer support, services and activities for local families. They say the centres will provide more targeted, specially tailored help for families with more complex challenges.

Where needed, a lead family worker will create a team of professionals around families experiencing problems such drug and alcohol misuse, money problems, mental health issues, domestic violence, or who may have children with poor school attendance or emerging additional needs.

Speaking on Monday, Warren Whyte, Bucks County Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m delighted to see the new Family Support Service start from today.

"The new Family Support Service integrates the general support we provide to local families with a more targeted approach for those who need a higher level of help from us.

"It’s been essential for us to make these changes as previously we weren’t able to get help to families quickly and effectively enough when problems emerge – this has contributed to an increase in the numbers of children needing social care input.

"Parents of young children will still be able to go to classes, see health visitors and access their usual services at their closest family centre, which will offer flexible opening hours and develop a wider range of activities than many of the children’s centres did previously. There will be open sessions at our family centres for any family with children of any age who would like a little extra guidance or support.

"This new service is a key element of how we intend to reduce school exclusions and reduce the numbers of children needing social care involvement.”