2,000 signatures call to save Onibury School

Campaigners fighting to save a south Shropshire village primary school from the axe today claimed they had collected more than 2,000 signatures on petitions.

The Onny Action Group, which is leading the battle to keep Onny Primary School in Onibury, near Craven Arms, open, collected a further 636 signatures in the streets of Ludlow yesterday.

They had already attracted about 1,600 names through friends and families and another day of canvassing in Ludlow, which attracted more than 800 signatures alone, last week.

Members of the campaign group say it shows widespread public support.

The school is one of eight primaries in the county threatened with the axe by summer 2012 as part of Shropshire Council plans to cut costs and meet falling pupil numbers.

One secondary school is also due to close by July 2013 under the proposals, out to public consultation.

Sarah Walker-Evans, an action group member who led the petition drive in Ludlow town centre, said: "It has been brilliant, and there were lots of people out on the streets yesterday in the nice weather who were keen to support us.

"This was our last attempt to get signatures before we hand the petition in and we want to thank everyone for their support."