Hundreds of parents have signed a petition rejecting plans by Bradford Council to close a school in the Worth valley.

The 700-signature petition - calling for the retention of Bronte Middle School at Oakworth - is to be sent to Bradford Council's director of education Diana Cavanagh.

And a copy is to land on the desk of Education Secretary David Blunkett in Westminster.

Keighley Education Action Group has been lobbying parents at Oakbank School, Keighley, and its feeder schools Bronte Middle and Oldfield First School.

Oldfield is also doomed to closure under the education authority's plan to shake up the organisation of schools and to axe all middle schools and some first schools. KEAG is campaigning for a split-site secondary school on the Oakbank and Bronte School campuses and against the closure of Oldfield school.

Parent, Joyce Newton, a member of KEAG said: "We were very encouraged by the support parents showed for our campaign. The number of signatures we collected shows the depth of feeling against the Council's review proposals.

"Many parents told us they just can't see the logic in what Bradford is planning. They want to know where there children will be educated. We can't tell them because the authority won't answer any of our questions.''

She said she hoped David Blunkett would find in their favour and give Keighley parents the right to choose Keighley schools for their children.

The numbers of signatures so far collected are: Oakbank, 290; Bronte, 259 and Oldfield, 165.

KEAG fears that once Bradford axes Bronte School, it will sell off the site, depriving the area of community playing fields.

Council education chiefs have said that the Bronte site will not be lost to education, but have so far failed to say exactly what it will be used for.

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