Parents campaigning against new proposals to shut down their school under the controversial education shake-up are calling for a public inquiry.

Eccleshill Upper School, Woodend Middle, Delph Hill Middle School, Shipley CE First and Undercliffe First have all been earmarked for outright closure following Bradford Council's decision to backtrack on its initial proposals.

The announcement has sparked a wave of campaigning across the district. Hundreds of angry parents have joined forces to set up new action groups and many of them are organising local protests.

However, residents fighting to save Woodend Middle School and Eccleshill Upper - which would both close in favour of a new secondary school at Cote Farm, Thackley - say they will bypass that route. They plan to take their campaign straight to the top by asking Education Secretary David Blunkett for a public inquiry.

Dominic Sheeran, group chairman of the Ravenscliffe and Greengates Association said parents were prepared to take the drastic step because the shake-up was ripping the heart out of local communities. He said: "We're going to start collecting the signatures of objectors and we want local people to help us make up a steering committee. A public inquiry is probably our best chance."

Undercliffe First School has already organised a protest outside City Hall before next Tuesday's education meeting and Delph Hill Middle School is hoping to submit a resolution to the meeting, but both say they will support calls for an inquiry if the plans are ratified by full Council on July 14.

Liz Metcalfe, headteacher at Undercliffe First School said: "I am hoping for the full support of local councillors before the matter goes to the DFEE, but we are prepared to lobby David Blunkett if it goes to that."

Education committee chairman, Councillor Jim Flood, said: "These proposals still have to be approved by the education committee and full council. People can send in letters and that will still be part of the consultation."

Objectors can make their representations to the DFEE - which will consider the proposals in September - through a Councillor, governor or group of ten or more registered electors.

l Shipley CE First School and Undercliffe First School were due to hold emergency public meetings at each school at 6.30pm this evening.

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