Campaigners march for Lydbury North Primary School

More than 45 campaigners marched through their Shropshire village led by a samba band to protest over plans to close their primary school.

It is the second time in three years that Lydbury North Primary School has faced the axe as part of school reorganisation plans and villagers marched from the school to the village hall to the beat of drums and whistles chanting "Save our School" ahead an official consultation meeting last night.

The meeting was attended by more than 120 people and saw officials from Shropshire Council explain why the authority's plans to close eight primary schools in the county - including Lydbury North - and the Wakeman secondary in Shrewsbury had been drawn up.

A number of residents raised issues over the proposed closure of the school, which beat off the threat of closure in 2008 when plans to axe schools were dropped.

Simon Atherton, a parent at the school and manager of Knighton Medical Practice, claimed the move could cost the council money rather than making savings due to transport costs and reduced government funding. Shirehall officials pledged to look into his claims.

Mr Atherton said: "The closure of Lydbury North Primary School may not save Shropshire Council - it could even incur a loss."

Campaigners in Lydbury North have claimed the school's numbers were rising and, by the start of the next academic year it would have 38 pupils - up nine from when Shropshire Council drew up its figures.

The meeting also heard pupils would be offered a place at Bishop's Castle Primary School if Lydbury North closed but parents would have the option of choosing other schools.

David Wilkinson, another parent at the school, said he believed rural schools were being singled out ahead of urban schools and resident Kate Baker urged Shirehall officials to talk to outside bodies to "revolutionise" education in Shropshire.

By Peter Kitchen