A RADCLIFFE nursery is featured in an undercover BBC documentary to be screened on Thursday night.

A reporter posed as a nurse at Bank House Day Nursery in Blackburn Street during the making of Nurseries Undercover: The Real Story, which looks into the standards of care in a number of private nurseries.

A member of staff was suspended while the investigation was carried out, but she has since been re-instated.

Social services bosses have slammed the programme, claiming it wasted staff and police time, and needlessly caused parents to worry.

And more than 35 parents have rallied round to support the nursery and say they "condemn" allegations made against Bank House and staff.

The police, who have viewed the scenes to be shown, say that nothing untoward happened.

However, the BBC stands by its show, maintaining that there were "clear breaches of Ofsted guidelines" about the vetting of staff.

"The production team at no stage made allegations that there were child protection issues at the nursery," said a statement.

"The police asked to view footage filmed in the nursery in the course of an investigation.

"The BBC is satisfied that matters of public concern are raised in this programme."

Miss Jenny Rivers, co-owner of Bank House, said Ofsted had inspected the 18-year-old nursery and given it the highest rating of "good".

"We do not understand why the BBC is including us in the programme," she said. "We have been shown the clips and, far from showing any lack of care for the children, they seem to show quite the opposite."

She added that the matter was now in the hands of her solicitors.

Ms Eleni Ioannides, director of social services, health and housing, said the council acted when it became aware of the investigation last month. "The BBC were completely unco-operative and did not allow us to view the video or even talk to us about it. Unless they are hiding something, it just seems like much ado about nothing."

Radcliffe councillor Tim Chamberlain, executive member for health and social services, said: "All the agencies involved are concerned about the way the BBC has gone about this, resulting in not only loads of unnecessary anxiety among parents and the nursery owners, but also in the unnecessary suspension of a member of staff and in much wasted police and social services' time investigating a non-event."

On Wednesday, a letter on behalf of 36 parents -- who say they fully support the nursery -- was given to the Radcliffe Times.

The letter states: "Social Services and child protection officers have viewed the footage and they confirm no further action will be taken. They are satisfied these allegations are unfounded".

One parent who has seen the footage has since withdrawn her child from the nursery.