A YOUNG girl has made a poetic plea to save her primary school from the threat of closure.

Like fellow pupils at Browney Primary, near Durham, nine-year-old Alaina Ramsay was distraught to learn that it was among 23 schools selected for closure as part of the county council's "blueprint for excellence" in education.

As with others on the "hit-list" the 145-place school, which takes children from neighbouring villages Brandon, Meadowfield and Langley Moor, is said to have too many surplus places with only 82 pupils on the roll in the academic year just ended.

Alaina's mother, Karen, was one of the parents who set up a support group to oppose the closure and urge families in the area to keep sending their children to the school.

As part of their campaign parents joined pupils carrying the school standard behind the banner of the former Browney Colliery in the recent Durham Miners' Gala parade.

Parents and pupils are also being urged to write to Durham's education director Keith Mitchell, urging a rethink on the school closure proposals.

Alaina, who enjoys poetry, decided to put her feelings about her school in verse.

Under the heading: My Poem Against Our School Closure, she eulogises over everything from the school garden, to the teachers and assemblies, with glowing references to cleaner Thelma Teggert and headteacher Sarah Taylor.

It ends with a plea to Mr Mitchell: "So, please don't close our school down, All our faces will have a huge frown, It's a small school with a big heart, In the community it plays a big part."

The campaign is continuing during the summer holiday, with a leaflet drop to request support from householders.