OUTCRY over a name change has forced Middleton St George school governors to call an emergency meeting to pour oil on troubled waters.

Parents were furious when they learned that their new £3m school was to be called the St Andrew's and St Laurence's Voluntary Aided Church of England School.

They were notified in a letter which said new logos and badges would be designed with the help of pupils.

The governors said they had to make a decision on the name quickly in order to gain funding for the new school and the diocese wanted it named after the churches in Sadberge and Middleton St George.

Coun Doris Jones, deputy chairman of governors, said: "We didn't expect this to cause so much upset among the parents and we have called this special meeting to try to address the situation.

"Our view was that we can change the name at a later date if we wish. It wasn't set in stone so that we are stuck with that name for ever and a day.

"We fully appreciate there is a lot of discontent among the parents. We have always given them our word they would be consulted every inch of the way.

"Unfortunately on this occasion we had to make a decision in a rush and didn't realise the effect it was going to have.

"People have said the have had four generations of the family at the school; they have faced the trauma of the old building being nearly burned down and now they are losing its identity."

The new building will be built on the site of the current Middleton St George Primary.

Nearby Sadberge Primary is targeted for closure because of dwindling rolls and pupils from there are likely to be transferred.

Barbara Cooper, chairman of governors at Sadberge, said if it came to the worst and pupils did have to go to Middleton St George, the new name did reflect the combining of the two villages.