PARENTS held a demonstration last night to protest over the possible closure of their children's primary school.

The group is campaigning to save Tedder Primary School, in Thornaby. Parents have already enlisted the help of local MPs and councillors.

Stockton Borough Council claims there has been a dramatic drop in the number of pupils attending Bader, Tedder and Thornaby Church of England primary schools in the town.

The council has said it will have a surplus of 500 primary school places soon, after a fall from 2,043 pupils in 1996 to an estimated 1,543 in 2006.

As a result, three options are to be considered by councillors: they close both Tedder and the Church of England school and move pupils to Bader; close Tedder and distribute pupils between the other two schools; or they keep all three open.

Diane Marley, who has an eight-year-old daughter at Tedder, was among the campaigners last night.

She said: "We are asking the council to leave the school alone. The children have everything they need in the school.

"They have excellent computers, after-school clubs and good relationships with teachers.

"It is in an enclosed site and is safe. It is ideal and we do not want to put them through the upheaval of having to move schools."

A consultation exercise has already been held in the three schools by Stockton council and councillors will meet again to discuss the proposals