Parents fighting for the right to attend a meeting which will decide the fate of a Warrington school are being backed by a campaigning Cheshire newspaper.

Later this month, the newly-formed School Organisation Committee will make a final ruling on proposals to close St Werburgh’s Primary School, Latchford, and merge it with St James’ Primary at a new building on the St James’ site.

The independent committee, which is made up of councillors, church representatives, school governors and further education officials, has voted to exclude the press and public from the meeting when it decides the school’s fate on July 17.

Warrington Borough Council has also refused to reveal to parents who was sitting on the committee.

The Warrington Guardian has backed the parents’ fight and in its last two editions, the front page has been devoted to the story.

News editor Stephen Rylance, who has been at the paper for two-and-a-half years, said: “We have been following the story for some time now.

“The council has stated time and time again that the meeting is an independent body but this committee is effectively a Quango.

“We have been protesting vigorously, asking them to reconsider their decision. We have asked that the press be allowed to attend the meeting.”

The paper’s letters pages have been packed with letters both in support and against the campaign.

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