CAMPAIGNERS fighting school closures in Bolton are holding a mock ballot in the town centre this weekend as part of Democracy Week.

The ballot will be part of a family fun weekend organised to highlight their cause.

Members of campaign group SOBS - Save Our Bolton Schools - will be asking town centre shoppers to vote for and against the closure of primary schools.

But they also plan to put on fun activities such as face painting for children and will be on Victoria Square from 11am on Saturday.

On Sunday afternoon, the fun moves to the Millstone pub near Whiteheads and a family disco at 7.30pm will round off the weekend.

Chairman Andrea Ashton said: "All along, they have criticised us and accused us of using our children but this campaign is all about our children's future. This will get our message across in a positive way and be fun for the children."

Campaigners say they they have been disheartened by meetings held this week as part of the extended consultation period for the proposals.

Campaigner Michael Harty said: "It was a sham, it wasn't consultation at all. All they did was give us more detail about how they are going to march forward with their plans."

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