Two schools could be saved from upheaval by an ancient Court.

Stanbury's Lord of the Manor, wealthy American Sapphire miner Tom Lee, is crusading to save Stanbury First School and Oldfield First School from the clutches of Bradford's education bosses.

He is setting up a Court Baron in Stanbury in November which will consist of a jury of ten local residents and other invited representatives. Mr Lee will preside while the jury hears the concerns and views of local villagers - in this case a plea to keep the status quo of the two schools.

A decision will then be made by the jury - a decision which Mr Lee believes can overturn any Bradford council ruling.

Under its controversial schools shake-up Bradford council has earmarked Oldfield for closure and Stanbury for upgrading into a primary school.

Mr Lee, who bought the Lord of the Manor title for £13,250 at an auction in December 1996, visited his manor for the first time this week.

He immediately pledged to fight for the schools. He says: "I came, I am here and I will be back. The court will give people a proper legal forum at which they can vent their opinions. I believe this will be as important as any legal enforcement.

"Of course, members of the council will be invited to the hearing too. The court will reside before the end of the statutory two-month objection period to the council's final schools review proposals.

"I am the facilitator. Families are linked together by schools - that's what the people of Stanbury and Oldfield have told me - and the schools are extremely important to them."

On Monday morning, Oldfield First School teachers, pupils and parents received a visit from Mr Lee.

Mr Lee says the Court Baron, which last sat 200 years ago, can deal with matters arising in nearby villages, which are covered under the Manor umbrella, as opposed to the Manor Court which can only discuss issues in Stanbury. He is investigating whether Oldfield falls under that umbrella which would give him the power to help save the school.

Mr Lee spent last weekend visiting Stanbury and Oldfield and spoke to the head-teachers at both schools.

Mr Lee's legal status and affairs are being handled by London-based lawyers.

A second court hearing is planned for April when he returns to England again with his family. Other future plans include the establishment of a Stanbury School Trust.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.