NEASHAM has pledged to support Hurworth in its fight to prevent Darlington Borough Council closing down its comprehensive school.

The two parish councils are to join forces to try to protect the village school amid fears that Hurworth is vulnerable because it is the smallest secondary school in the Darlington area.

A plea from Hurworth Parish Council was read out at Monday's Neasham meeting which said: "Action needs to be taken as soon as possible."

The threat of closure hangs over Darlington's secondary schools because of falling pupil numbers; at least one of the seven senior schools must close or merge within ten years. Although Hurworth is ranked number one educationally, the high number of pupils who have to travel to school is one of the criteria for closure.

The land value of the site is high.

Coun Rod Burtt said Hurworth's name cropped up in "an insidious way" whenever there were education-type meetings.

"It is widely talked about, mainly because it is too small. I think it is quite wrong to be so dogmatic," he added.

He said some schools appeared to be protected by plans already in the pipeline.

Eastbourne Comprehensive had been offered £20m to become a Church of England voluntary aided school which would mean a new building.

Haughton School was included in the £34.9m private funding initiative for an approved education village.

The high number of pupils who were bussed into Hurworth Comprehensive - 66.4pc - also counted against it.

But Coun Daphne Taylor said: "Even when I first went there people came from Egglescliffe and all over."

Coun Brian McKernon said: "I think we need to keep local schools. They give a sense of identity."