A public meeting to debate the future of a village school will be held next week.

Darlington Borough Council has sparked an uproar in Hurworth, where the community's secondary school has been earmarked for relocation.

The authority wants Hurworth to take over struggling Eastbourne Comprehensive, with the two coming together in a new multi-million pound unit at the top end of Yarm Road, Darlington.

The action group Save Hurworth and Rural Education, which opposes the move, has set up a meeting at the community centre in Middleton St George on September 7, at 7pm. The meeting will be staged the day before a by-election for a Hurworth ward seat on the council.