CAMPAIGNERS launching a battle to save a threatened school have been told: "You can win."

But a huge turnout of people protesting about plans to merge Eastbourne and Hurworth secondary schools was also warned: "This won't be a short walk in the park. It will be a long, hard struggle."

The words came from Clive Bullock, immediate past chairman of Hurworth Parish Council, which hosted a public meeting amid uproar over the proposals by Darlington Borough Council.

Some of the loudest applause greeted a call to take the issue "all the way to Downing Street" - Hurworth is in Tony Blair's constituency. It was felt the Prime Minister should step in.

Some 250 people packed Hurworth Grange on Wednesday to explore ways of fighting the scheme, which would see Hurworth and Eastbourne schools close and a new 1,200-pupil school built on land at the top of Yarm Road in Darlington. The new school would be named Hurworth School.

It was agreed to form a parent-led action committee to galvanise opposition; web sites have already been set up.

Coun Peter Foster said that, on a recent visit to Hurworth School, Mr Blair said it was a wonderful place for children to be taught in.

"But now the election is over, there are plans to close it," Coun Foster said.

Many people were concerned that news of the plan emerged through the Press, with councillors saying they had not being officially notified.

But Coun Doris Jones, Middleton St George ward and parish councillor, warned: "The last thing we want is for this to become a political football."

Parent Ian Holme said: "The decision has already been made and the council is trying to make the arguments fit the case."

Earlier in the week, parents staged a protest march and attended a meeting with teachers and council officials at Hurworth School which both the D&S Times and The Northern Echo were told they could not attend.

On Wednesday, many people questioned why reporters had not been present.

One parent said: "That meeting was a load of rubbish, with no straight answers."

Middleton St George parish councillor Steve York said: "This is a done deal and we are being fobbed off. The school land is what they are after."

Ten-year-old Jenny Richmond won loud cheers when she said: "I will fight for my school. All my family went there and I will go too. It means the world to me."

All Saints' Church rector, the Rev Michelle Ferguson, said: "I feel for all the frustration and anger. But let's send out a positive message to preserve what we have while doing something good for other parts of Darlington."

* Consultation? See page 3