CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Ampfield's village school from closure have taken their case to the House of Commons.

Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, Councillor Don Allen, ruled in October that Ampfield Church of England Primary School should close because of falling pupil numbers.

Children on the school roll had dropped from 67 to 23 in under two years, making it the smallest in Hampshire.

Objections have been lodged, however, and a Schools Organisation committee meeting has been called for next Friday (February 4th) to discuss its future.

But the campaigners are exploring all avenues and this week, a deputation went to the House of Commons to meet Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, who is supporting their case, and to hand over a 1,000-signature petition to the Government.

She said later: "Hundreds of people have already signed a petition to keep the school open and I am doing everything I can to ensure that it does.

"The local campaigners I met in Westminster feel strongly that the school is at the heart of village life and that it should be given a chance to rebuild pupil numbers."

She will be contacting Schools Minister Stephen Twigg about the petition and the campaign.

School parent governor Mrs Charlie Allen warned that if Ampfield did close its doors at the end of the next school year, it would be a loss to the educational network in the area.

She said: "There are too few places available in our area in Church of England schools and closing Ampfield will serve only to limit this choice still further.

"Our fight is not just for Ampfield Primary, but for small village church schools across the UK which may come under threat at a result of our closure.

"Parents and teachers at the school are remaining upbeat and we thank everyone involved for all their continued support."

Campaigners have also pointed out that Ampfield's roll number is likely to rise if it stays open and that if a major housing development does go ahead at Abbotswood on the northern edge of Romsey, it will go up still further.