Childcare costs in Wandsworth are among the highest in the country, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

The figures were obtained by the Labour Party, which asked all local authorities the average weekly cost of part-time nursery place or childminder.

Nursery places in Wandsworth were the eighth most expensive, with parents facing an average cost of £171 in 2012/13 for 25 hours a week care.

The borough’s parents take home an average of £487 a week, meaning 35 per cent of their weekly income is spent on childcare costs.

Places with higher costs than Wandsworth include Surrey, Westminster, Bexley and in first place, Richmond.

When it came to childminder costs Wandsworth came joint sixth with Harrow and Islington, with an average £163 in 2012/13 for 25 hours a week.

A Wandsworth Council spokesman said average prices included expensive private nurseries and childcare providers and there were affordable options.

Council figures showed weekly provision was available at about £107 and low income families had free nursery provision.

Wandsworth Times:

Will Martindale, Battersea’s Labour MP candidate, said free childcare for three to four-year-olds should be extended from 15 to 25 hours a week, costing about £1,500 per child each year. He said: "Like many other families, my wife and I know only too well of the challenges of finding affordable childcare.

"You only have to look at organisations like NappyValleyNet, and the issues raised on a daily basis, to see the impact of spiralling childcare costs and threats to local amenities has on Wandsworth families."

Wandsworth Times:

Education spokesman Councillor Kathy Tracey said: "In the past 18 months the council has delivered a major expansion of free nursery places for two year olds which are offered to families with low incomes. As a result Wandsworth’s take up rate for free nursery places is the fourth highest in London and 19 per cent above the city average.

"We understand how vitally important it is for local families to have access to free or genuinely affordable childcare and that is why we have prioritised investment in local services."