TV actor backs Onibury Primary School appeal

Only Fools and Horses star John Challis has thrown his weight behind the campaign to save a south Shropshire village school from closure.

Mr Challis, who played Boycie in the long-running comedy, has claimed plans to close Onny Primary School in Onibury, near Craven Arms, would have a "very detrimental" impact on the local community.

He plans to meet with parents and supporters of the school outside Ludlow Castle on Wednesday in a peaceful demonstration to raise awareness of the school's plight.

And campaigners have wasted no time in taking advantage of Mr Challis's support - by drawing up a banner claiming "Only Fools Would Close Our School".

Under the plans put forward by Shropshire Council, the school would be one of eight primaries across the county to close in the summer of 2012.

The plans will be discussed by the authority's cabinet tomorrow and a coach from Onny School will be travelling to Shirehall to join protests outside.

Mr Challis, who in recent years joined a campaign to save Shobdon School in Herefordshire from closure, said: "It's a village school and therefore much more part of the community than a town school would be.

"It is similar to the post office issue - if you keep destroying these country communities it's going to be very detrimental for this part of the world."

Lindsay Beavon, whose five-year-old grand-daughter Amber Langston attends the school, said: "We will be joining Mr Challis in the town centre with placards."

The campaigners and Mr Challis, who lives in Wigmore, near Ludlow, will meet at noon on Wednesday.