THE headteacher of troubled Longsight Primary School has appealed to parents for their full support in the fight to save the school.

George Hadfield, who has run the school in Hough Fold Way for almost six years, said: "Many parents walk past schools much closer and more convenient to their homes in order to get to Longsight because they want their children to come here.

"The last thing I want to see is parents panicking and taking their children out of Longsight and putting them somewhere else straight away.

"I think parents feel strongly about keeping the school as it is. I am urging them not to move their children and to give us their full support."

School governor Eric Smallman said: "You could stop any child in the school and ask them if they like being a pupil at Longsight and the majority would say they are happy here and have a good time.

"I am confident that at least 95 per cent of parents would give us their backing."

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed that many parents were shocked and worried. She added: "The council seems to put forward proposals without thinking what they are doing to the children."

Bolton LEA is faced with a problem of falling pupils numbers. The situation has already resulted in a proposed merger of Chalfont and Wolfenden Primary Schools either side of Blackburn Road, a merger of St John (Wingates) and Fourgates Primary Schools in Westhoughton and the amalgamation of Queen Street Primary and Bridgewater Nursery in Farnworth. The BEN asked parents at the gates of Longsight School what they thought of the plans It is a shock and I feel angry about it. If the pupils from both schools are together there is not going to be enough room and the level of teaching will be affected. My six-year-old daughter had some behaviour problems but she has calmed down since going to Longsight. I am afraid that disrupting her will cause the behaviour problems to return. I have two children at the school and one who would be coming here when she is older. I want the school to stop as it is.

Evan Edwards, Tonge Moore I feel as if my son is being hard done by. He has been at Longsight since reception class and has only one more year to go. I wanted him to finish his junior schooling off here. My partner is concerned about him being with children from another school as it may cause confrontation.

Keith McKay, Breightmet We have nothing against the merger, it is just a case of where the location will be. If the two schools merge, it would be better if the children come here to Longsight, as there is more room for expansion. If all the children end up at Christ Church, it is smaller and is quite a distance for some parents. We are not bothered about losing the name of the school, it is the location that concerns us."

John Ellis, Harwood A lot of children take a long time to settle into schools when they start. It will be difficult and very disruptive for them if all the teachers they know have to leave and new teachers come in. This comes as a big shock and it seems very, very unfair.

Sharon Bowker, Breightmet