A PRESSURE group that campaigned against the merger of two Darlington schools is winding up.

Share (Support Hurworth and Rural Education) was set up after plans were announced to merge Hurworth and Eastbourne comprehensive schools.

However, the plans were dropped after former Prime Minister Tony Blair and MP Alan Milburn stepped in to broker a deal between the two schools in March last year.

Ian Holme, from Share, said there was a "little bit of sadness" that the organisation was closing down, but it had achieved what it had set out to do.

He said: "We've made some good friends and we've all learned a lot. Sometimes it was very difficult, but it's quite surprising what can be achieved by ordinary people with a common goal."

The outstanding funds, totalling more than £1,000, which Share raised, will be donated to Hurworth School.

Mr Holme said it was not yet known exactly how the money would be spent.