CLOSURE plans were rubber- stamped for a secondary and a nursery school by councillors last night.

But a second nursery school won a reprieve after a five hour-plus meeting of Sunderland City Council's school organisation committee, at the civic centre.

The committee approved the proposed closure of Usworth School, at Washington, Wearside, because of the growing number of unfilled places.

They also approved closure of the ageing Cork Street Community Nursery School, in Hendon, Sunderland.

Last-minute submissions by staff, governors and parents to save the schools failed in both cases.

But the committee rejected the proposed closure of Oxclose Community Nursery School, in Washington, after similar pleas by staff and parents.

The decisions mean seven new nursery classes will be added at existing primary schools across the city.

Plans for three further nursery classes at primary schools, in Washington, will not now go ahead due to the reprieve for Oxclose nursery.