A Warwickshire woman who runs a child minding service has hit back at claims that she started the business in an attempt to exploit New Year’s Eve.

Reports in a national newspaper suggested that Shipston-on-Stour mother of two Diana Hawtin was facing bankruptcy because she had not secured any bookings for Millennium night, a claim that she describes as ridiculous.

She said:

"I am not facing bankruptcy, and I did not start the business just for New Year’s Eve baby sitting, it is a permanent thing which is proving very successful.

"I have clients from Bedworth to Oxford and I provide babysitters both for at night and for emergencies during the day and it is going very well.

"I have around 500 registered childminders on my books and when people ring me for a babysitter I contact the nearest one and send them round, it is a service that nobody else can provide."

However Hawtin, 50, did admit that she had so far been disappointed with bookings for New Years Eve, but believes her company could face a late rush.

"We have done some advertising for that night and we have had a very low response, but I think that it because no-one has decided what they are doing yet.

"I honestly do not know anybody who has confirmed their plans yet and I think when they do they will start thinking about babysitters.

"That will give us a late rush in business but we are more than geared up to cope with that."

Baby Sitting Services have a standard rate of £4.50 per hour in the evenings and £5.00 per hour for emergency day care.

On New Year’s Eve the charge will be £20 per child, per hour and anyone interested in the service should contact Diana Hawtin on 01608 661709.
  

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