THE councillor who recommended the closure of a Harwood primary will be visiting the school to speak to parents about her decision.

Parents have criticised Bolton Council's executive member for education, Cllr Linda Thomas, for never having visited Longsight Primary School before recommending its closure.

But she will be visiting the school on February 18 to outline the reasons for the proposed closure and reassure parents that there are enough places in Harwood for all the surplus pupils.

Cllr Thomas told the BEN that despite having visited Longsight many years ago in a different capacity, she had not been to the school recently because she had never received an official invitation.

She said: "I have no argument with the parents about children not being happy or the atmosphere not being nice at the school.

"But I have got an argument with the quality of teaching and the school's academic achievements."

However, the headteacher of Longsight, George Hadfield, had no idea that Cllr Thomas was due to visit his school.

He said: "All I have heard is hearsay gossip from parents, but Cllr Thomas has not written to me about it.

"We have had no contact from her or even from the LEA."

The school has been recommended for closure because of its falling intake and after being placed in special measures last May.

An action group of parents are fighting the closure and have enlisted the help of solicitors in a bid to sue the LEA.

They will be holding a bingo evening tonight at 7pm at the school to raise money to boost their legal fund.

A sponsored walk around Harwood will be held at 11am on February 16 starting at the school.

The group has also arranged a public meeting at Bolton Town Hall on February 11 for anyone who is interested in the future of the school.

The meeting will be held in the Lancaster Suite at 7.30pm.