ANGRY parents have vowed to fight on to block the closure and amalgamation of two Teesside primary schools.

They want St Andrew's RC Primary School to remain independent of neighbouring St Peter's RC Primary, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

But Redcar and Cleveland Council and the Diocese of Middlesbrough favour the amalgamation, arguing it is fairest on both schools' pupils and teachers.

Paul Terry, spokesman for the parents' Fight Back! action group, said: "St Andrew's is one of the top performing primary schools in the country and what they are proposing to do is shocking.

"Why do the experts think their way is the only way?

"The parents gave their action group a mandate to carry on the fight. We intend to follow every legal process open to us in order to carry out that mandate."

The council are proposing to close both schools then open an amalgamated school in September next year because of falling numbers.

There are 69 surplus places between the two schools but Fight Back have decided to take action because there are only eight of the spare places are at St Andrew's while 61 come from St Peter's.

The plan is about to enter a six-week statutory consultation process before it goes before the Schools Organisation Committee.

If an agreement still cannot be reached the matter will be handled by an independent adjudicator appointed by the Department for Education and Skills.

Redcar and Cleveland Council cabinet member for education Councillor Steve Kay said many people from St Peter's were in favour of the proposed merger.

He said: "I hope this doesn't get so bitter that it splits the community because feelings are strong on both sides.

"It would be wrong to assume that everyone is in favour of keeping St Andrew's open because opinion is divided across the two schools.

"As far as pupils are concerned if one school was absorbed into another they might feel like second class citizens while staff in the school that stays would be able to uphold their posts while others have to apply again."

Councillor Kay said he hoped no staff jobs would be lost in the move.

Father Derek Turnham, spokesman for the Diocese of Middlesbrough, said last night that their decision about which buildings to use will be made if the merger goes ahead following the consultation process