GOVERNORS at one of the region's top schools could today make or break plans to relocate it in a £20m move.

Council officials want to close Hurworth School, near Darlington, and amalgamate it with the town's struggling Eastbourne Comprehensive. A new "super-school" would be established at the top end of Yarm Road, in Darlington, near Alderman Tommy Crooks Park, if the proposals are approved.

Hurworth School's board of governors meets today to decide whether to approve the scheme, which has sparked an outcry in the village.

If they indicate their approval, Darlington Borough Council can press ahead with its plan for a new 1,200-pupil Hurworth School.

The authority is guaranteed £20m of Government funding for a new school by 2011, but is lobbying to get the cash as soon as possible.

The governors are under pressure from villagers to reject the proposals.

People crowded into Tuesday's parish council meeting where councillors agreed to write to governors, urging them to throw out the plans.

The council said yesterday that a rejection from the governors would force a rethink.

A spokesman said: "We'd have to modify our plans, but a new school will be built because the Government is giving us the money for that."

It is possible the governors will defer a decision to wait for more information.

They must hear the findings of a consultant's study into options for the school, while a public meeting likely to attract hundreds of people takes place in the village hall next Thursday.

Parish councillor Clive Bullock said he did not expect a conclusion.

Borough councillor Peter Foster said: "The only decision should be 'no way'."