MUMS and dads are fighting plans to call time on children at their local pub.

Whitbread, which owns the Bailey Bridge Brewers Fayre at the Premier Travel Inn in Barrack Road, Christchurch, is to do away with its children's Fun Factory to make room for more restaurant covers.

Regulars who like to take their children with them and leave them in the company of a child-minder while they dine out or have a drink are concerned those days are numbered.

Emma Knight, who goes to the Bailey Bridge for an inexpensive meal once or twice a week with partner Lee and leaves son Aidan in safety at the Fun Factory, is raising a petition in protest.

She has also organised a protest outside the Bailey Bridge for 1pm on Saturday, March 31.

"It's a segregated play area for children while their parents can have a meal and it's pretty well the only establishment in Christchurch that will do that," said Emma.

"It's really important for people. Everyone I have told is really upset.

"I feel it's affecting people too much to do nothing about it," she said.

A Whitbread spokesman said a £400,000-plus investment would turn the Brewers Fayre pub into a "21st-century socialising haven".

"The restaurant will close its doors on April 23 for a makeover which will completely renovate the pub restaurant and create further job opportunities in the area," he said.

"Due to reopen at the end of May, Bailey Bridge will offer guests a relaxed, adult-focused environment with high-quality food, service and atmosphere.

"As you'll see, it is a completely new style of restaurant which does not include Fun Factories going forward."