Onibury School thanks TV star for help in closure battle

Only Fools and Horses star John Challis lifted the gloom surrounding a closure-threatened Shropshire primary school by joining pupils in an assembly sing-a-long.

The actor, best known for playing Boycie in the hit BBC series, was invited with his wife Carol to Onny Primary School in Onibury, near Craven Arms, as a thank you for the support the couple have given to the campaign to keep the school open.

And Mr Challis challenged Shropshire's education chiefs to see the school in action, claiming the decisions were being made by people "without a heart".

The school is one of eight primaries facing closure as part of Shropshire Council proposals to tackle falling pupil numbers, although talks are taking place about creating a federation with Lydbury North Primary School.

Mr Challis said: "We had an enchanting and very entertaining afternoon.

"There is so much care and attention being put in by people at the school, the children are so happy and the school is in good nick.

"I just wish the people making these decisions would have been here to see it - there's no way they would consider closing the school. It just beggars belief that they are thinking about it.

"I think these decisions are being made by accountants with no heart or consideration for the community - it's taking the heart out of such little communities."

Phil Dale, school headteacher, said: "We had a brilliant assembly. It was organised as a thank you to Carol and John Challis for their support - they came out to support us on the streets of Ludlow a few weeks ago to help our campaign to keep the school open."