FREE school campaigners in Ingleby Barwick have hit back at critics of their plans, saying the scheme represents the best option for the future of education in the town.

Barwick's Own Second Secondary School (BO2SS), which is made up of residents and parents, has come under fire in recent weeks.

Objectors claim a free school will result in the closure of either Egglescliffe School, in Eaglescliffe, or Conyers School, in Yarm.

All Saints' School, the only secondary school in Ingleby Barwick, has 650 places, but there aremore than 1,800 children of secondary school age in the town.

Those behind the project say a free school will stop children in the town having to travel to Eaglescliffe and Yarm for their education.

They also say it would be possible to sustain four schools in the south of the Stockton borough owing to the increasing young population in Ingleby Barwick.

BO2SS submitted its 150page business plan for its free school earlier this month.

The group has been working hard ever since being given approval by the Government earlier this year to produce more detailed proposals for a 600-place free school in Ingleby Barwick.

Stephen Fryer, chairman of BO2SS, said: "We find out next month whether we have reached the interview stage.

We are just having to keep our fingers crossed.

"People think a free school will have a negative impact on the other schools, but it won't.

"We want to give children in Ingleby Barwick a choice so that they don't have to be bussed to other towns for their education."

Mr Fryer added: "If we don't apply for this money, then it will go somewhere else in the country, not to other schools in the borough. We are looking at the future of education for our children."

Land at Little Maltby Farm, Low Lane, south of Ingleby Barwick, will be used for the new school if the scheme gets the go-ahead later this year.

It would open to pupils in September 2013.