A VILLAGE school is fighting to keep its place at the heart of the community after being earmarked for possible closure.

Despite being one of two local primary schools being considered for closure because of falling pupils numbers, staff at St John's Primary at Mosley Common, Tyldesley, are determined to continue with plans to open a new nursery and create an outdoor nature reserve and under fives' playground.

Over the summer an empty classroom will be transformed into a nursery, creating 32 part or 16 full time places. The school, which was established in 1822, also plans to provide 'wrap around care' -- a service offering child-care between morning and afternoon sessions or after school, allowing parents to work all day without worrying. Headteacher, Jill Brennan explained: "We hope our new nursery will offer a service that people are currently going elsewhere for."