PARENTS last night vowed to continue their fight to save a school after councillors agreed to its closure.

The parents were reacting to Sunderland City Council's ruling Labour cabinet decision to agree to plans to close the 600-pupil Usworth School in Washington.

The final decision lies with the council's school organisation committee, which is expected to give the plan the go-ahead on December 3.

The chairman of the school's governors, Sarah Allsopp, said: "It is not over until December 3. We will continue to negotiate and try to get them to change their minds.

"We are concerned about the effect this will have on the whole of the community of northern Washington.

"If the school closes it will mean children having to travel all the way to Oxclose School, which would present problems in the winter.

"The school serves a considerable area and if it closes, the community will be deprived of a swimming pool, sports hall, outdoor facilities and of course the excellent standard of education it provides.

A report to the cabinet said the school had less than half the pupils it could take and forecasts estimated it would have only 463 pupils during the 2007/2008 school year.

The report said: "There is a clear duty on the council to align school provision with demand and demographic change.

"With two schools in Washington with in excess of 25 per cent of surplus places, the LEA must act."