ANOTHER protest against the relocation of one of the region's most successful schools was staged yesterday.

Darlington Borough Council sparked controversy when it announced plans to relocate Hurworth School from its present village site.

The council wants the school to take over troubled Eastbourne Comprehensive and the two to be merged at a new campus in Yarm Road, Darlington. But the Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) action group is determined to prevent the scheme going ahead.

Members staged a demonstration outside the Dolphin Centre yesterday afternoon, to coincide with an awards presentation.

The council's children's services director, Margaret Asquith, was presenting awards to pupils of Hurworth and Branksome schools for their work in peer education.

Meanwhile, the schools issue was the subject of a heated debate at a full council meeting on Thursday night.

Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for children's services, defended the Labour group's stance against criticism from Liberal Democrat councillor Fred Lawton.

The Liberal Democrats' representation on the council was boosted last week when Martin Swainston won a Hurworth ward by-election.

Conservative group leader Tony Richmond said: "This whole issue of Hurworth School has been known about for a very long time.

"The first time the Liberal Democrats made any comment about Hurworth School was when they knew there was going to be a by-election."