FURIOUS parents have vowed to fight tooth and nail to prevent the closure of Fairfield High School.

They are strongly opposed to Halton Borough Council's proposals to 'federate' the school with Wade Deacon and close it after five years, and are determined to challenge the move.

Lynne Parsons, of Dierdre Avenue, Widnes, has a son due to finish and a daughter due to start at Fairfield.

She said: 'I'm livid the council is proposing to close Fairfield.

'Many parents are devastated and we are forming a group to try to stop this happening.

'We have started a petition and a letter-writing campaign and will fight these proposals at every level.'

She added: 'We are working closely with the school and they know what we're trying to accomplish.'

Parent Charlotte Lee, said: 'My daughter has gained a place on a performing arts course at college thanks to Fairfield.

'If it closes there could be no more opportunities like the one my daughter had.'

Jeff Hughes, Fairfield headteacher, said: 'The governing body has considered the proposal put forward by the local authority.

'We accept, as we are convinced the education community does, that there is an issue with surplus places in the borough.

'We have addressed this issue in our alternative proposal and we have, today, submitted this to the local authority as we believe it better meets the needs of all the children in the town.'

A council spokesman said: 'The council is positively encouraging staff, pupils, parents, unions and other stakeholders to contribute their views.

'All the points raised will be taken on board and help to shape the details of the final proposals'

The opposition group meets at Appleton Village club at 7pm on Monday.