A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a village primary school - for the second time.

Christ Church CE in Harwood has been earmarked for closure under controversial proposals to wipe out the increasing numbers of empty classroom places in the borough.

Now, a leading member of the Parish Church Council (PCC) is asking local people and parents to sign a petition and write to their local MP opposing the plans.

Posters urging people to support the campaign have gone up in the school as well as the local supermarket, together with petitions.

Roy Pearson, secretary of the PCC who this week kick-started the SOS - Save our School - campaign, said: "Parents were very upset to hear that the school had again been threatened with closure."

Under proposals to address surplus school places, Christ Church will merge with Top o'th' Brow in new premises subject to funding, or it will be closed.

In January, the school had 81 surplus places, which is 38.6 per cent of places available.

But Mr Pearson explained that: "From the time of a proposed merger with another school four years ago, and statements in the press that the school is under review, have deterred parents from enrolling their children.

"This has had an understandable effect on our numbers."

Chairman of governors Geoff Griffiths said: "We are concerned that since the LEA proposals a number of parents have withdrawn their children from the school.

"This is the only CE school in Harwood and has excellent SATS results and wonderful staff."

Lawrence Knight whose son Jack, aged five, attends the school said: "My family have all been through this school. I certainly dont want this school to close."

Fellow parent, Sue Snowden, whose son William, aged nine, is a pupil added: "We were devastated to hear the authority wanted to close the school again. Having fought a campaign before we thought we were safe, but they keep coming back with the same proposal."

Mrs Snowden, who lives in Harwood, added: "My daughter Amy, who is now 16, is now doing very well thanks to the excellent grounding she got from the school."

Mr Pearson, whose two children attended the school, said the building is valuable facility for the community, and is used by the scouts and holiday club in the summer break.

"We successfully resisted the closure last time. Please rally round and sign our petition against these closure proposals and help to preserve the element of choice in our area.

"The petition can be signed at the school or at Morrisons." he said.