CAMPAIGNERS slammed Education Secretary David Blunkett last night for pledging his support to plans for the demolition of three schools.

Middlesbrough Borough Council is eager to be one of only ten local authorities in the UK to be allowed to build a City Academy.

The academy for east Middlesbrough would replace the secondary schools of Keldholme, Langbaurgh and St Anthony's, which staff, parents and pupils want to stay open.

Campaigners have appealed for help to Education Secretary David Blunkett, but he has refused assistance.

They are furious after it was revealed that in the same month ministerial aides wrote to them stressing Mr Blunkett could not become involved, the minister wrote to Middlesborough council chief executive John Foster assuring him of "whatever support is necessary to help you take your plans forward".

Mr Blunkett's letter was written a month after the council published the closure proposals and while a formal consultation exercise with local people was in progress.

Councillor Ken Walker, leader of the council, was so delighted with Mr Blunkett's letter he circulated it to the rest of the council.

The row erupted on the day Mr Blunkett announced a £7.8bn schools refurbishment programme at the Labour Party conference.

The School Organisation Committee, chaired by the council's education commissioner Geoff Connolly, decides the fate of the three schools today. If it gives the go-ahead for closure, a legal challenge could be mounted.

Hans Ruyssenaars is a national executive member of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, representing 80 per cent of the affected staff.

He said: "I am absolutely appalled. Teachers, parents and pupils have been misled. A decision to go ahead with closure could be open to a challenge."

Judy Moorhouse, a national executive member of the National Union of Teachers, said of the conflicting letters: "I don't like a contradiction like this. It's very unsettling."

St Anthony's campaigner Ian McGuckin said: " I had a feeling from the very beginning that, come what may, the council was determined to push it through."

Labour Party member and retired trade union organiser Albert Burton, 80, wrote to Mr Blunkett for help.

He said: "I feel badly let down, betrayed and angry."

There was no one available for comment at the Department for Education and Employment