A PROTEST group fighting against Hurworth School being moved out of the village has confirmed plans for its latest public meeting.

Darlington Borough Council is pursuing Government funding to create a £25m privately-sponsored city academy, bringing together Hurworth and Eastbourne Comprehensive School.

The 1,200-pupil academy would be built in Yarm Road, Darlington, near the Cummins Engines factory - possibly as early as 2008.

But the Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) action group is battling against the plans.

And the group will meet on Monday, at 7pm, at the Grange Community Centre.

Among the speakers will be Dr Richard Hatcher, director of research at the education faculty of the University of Central England, in Birmingham.

Share is also gearing up for an anti-council protest, tomorrow, in High Row, Darlington.

Members of other campaign groups across the town are also expected to take join the rally, which runs from 10am to noon.

Meanwhile, Share is continuing to press the case for Hurworth to gain foundation school status, instead of being relocated outside the village.

Such a move would give the school greater independence from the education authority.

Share spokesman Ian Holme said: "Being a foundation school would provide comparable protection to that enjoyed by voluntary aided and controlled schools, such as Carmel."