The office is planned next door to a primary school in Chippenham, and parents say they are concerned for the safety of their children.

But the probation service insists there is no danger involved, and says it would alter the location if it could.

The probation service is responsible for helping offenders just released from prison and those with non-custodial sentences.

We have a concern for the children's safety and that they feel safe on the site Trevor Ranger Head of governors

Diana Fulbrook, chief executive of the Wiltshire probation area, told BBC News Online: "I would not be making this move if I thought it would increase risks to children."

The lease on the probation service's current premises in Chippenham is about to run out, and the building has been deemed unfit for its current purpose.

Close proximity

"This is literally the only option. If we were able to come up with another site, we would most certainly go with that," Mrs Fulbrook added.

But local residents are concerned that offenders would be in such close proximity to their children.

Trevor Ranger, head of governors at the Ivy Lane School, said: "We have a concern for the children's safety and that they feel safe on the site.

"We feel the presence of the probation service next door would undermine this."