COUNCILLORS are being recommended not to increase the capacity of a popular village school, despite a campaign by parents for more places.

Last year, Durham County Council raised the number of reception class pupils joining Coxhoe Primary School from 30 to 35.

Parents in the village had formed the Coxhoe Kids in Coxhoe School action group to press for the move.

However, the increase, which needed Government-funded improvements to the school, was a one-off and the action group has continued to call for more places to be made available for primary pupils of all ages.

It is concerned that some children from the village are having to go to school in neighbouring villages and that demand for places will grow because of recent housing developments.

The county council has carried out a review and tomorrow the cabinet will be recommended to apply an admission limit of 31 - the number of pupils it says want places - for the year starting in September.

A report from education director Keith Mitchell has said that the action group and Coxhoe Labour Party say the school should be big enough to accommodate all primary age pupils living in Coxhoe both now and in the future.

The action group also claims that the council has underestimated the numbers of pupils who will want to go to the school.

The school's headteacher and governors want to keep the current capacity and the headteachers and governors at schools in neighbouring villages have expressed concern that any increase at Coxhoe could have an effect on them.

Mr Mitchell said surplus places at the schools meant that the council could not get Government funding for extra accommodation at Coxhoe, and it could suffer funding cuts if surplus places grow.

Paul Dodsworth, from the action group, said: "The biggest disappointment for us is they haven't recognised the shortfall of places for next year and the year after.

"We have physically knocked on every door and done a survey with dates of birth, names and addresses, which the county didn't have.

"They'll see soon enough next year. They have spent public money on the school and they haven't increased the capacity."