CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Gorsthills Primary are taking hope from a Birkenhead school which was spared the axe earlier this year.

St Paul's Catholic Primary in Beechwood was rescued from the chop at the last minute back in April.

After the Wirral School's Organisation Committee had failed to reach a unanimous decision on its future, the proposal was referred to a Government adjudicator who ruled that St Paul's should not be shut.

Gorsthills supporters are now confident that if their fate is decided in the same way they will also be celebrating victory.

Lead campaigner Ian Finlay said: 'Everything about this case bodes well for us and we're drawing hope from it. Many of the reasons given for saving St Paul's, we surpass.

'It makes no sense that the county council have pushed for the closure of Gorsthills.

'I'm urging all parents to stick with us and come back in September.'

Parent Rebecca Kinsey said: 'It proves that we can get through this. We have everything and more that the school in Birkenhead has.' The Government adjudicator visited St Paul's to see first hand the standard of facilities on offer and also held a meeting attended by 200 people including parents, governors, members of the community and the local education authority.

Mr Finlay believes that if a similar scenario were to happen at Gorsthills more than 1,000 people would turn out in support of the 35-year-old school.

He said: 'If an adjudicator was to come down to look at the school and see the whole picture there would be no reason for them to want to close it.'

For the final say to rest with an adjudicator the school's organisation committee must fail to reach a unanimous decision.

Before this there will be a six-week objection period during which public notices will be published proposing the closure of Gorsthills.

It is expected that hundreds will oppose the plan.

* Mansfield Primary School will be closed down next summer.

Cheshire County Council did not receive one objection to the plans during a six-week period in which formal notices were published proposing the closure.

The Children's Services Executive will now meet on September 5 to progress the closure plan.