PARENTS are faced with a battle to find new places for their children now that their much loved village school has been closed.

Harthill Primary School lost its fight at a meeting of five Conservative County Council members, chaired by Cllr Shirley Harris, last Friday.

But for many parents the news broke this week and they are now trying to move on.

Audrey Nicholas, of Bickerton, said: ‘I haven’t got a clue where I’m going to send my son because Bickerton has too big a set of classes. I wanted him to have a quieter place.’

Christina Rimmer, of Tattenhall, agreed: ‘It’s just going to cause my family so much upheaval.’

Many parents spoke of their outrage at feeling shepherded towards Huxley Primary School – a school which itself was earmarked for closure under the same Transforming Learning Communities review.

Mum Amanda Gosmore said: ‘They haven’t even guaranteed Huxley will stay open because they haven’t federated yet.’

Teachers and parents have tried to shield children from the reality of the situation but Jane Enston admitted her five-year-old had been in tears over the changes ahead.

The Burwardsley mum added: ‘It’s another hammer blow for the rural community. I can’t choose Burwardsley as that was closed years back so what’s left?’

Leading campaigner Annette Houlihan said: ‘What seems absurd is that there is not going to be enough capacity in future years for children in this area.’

Rumours about the future of the school include handing the premises over to an art group while children are reportedly upset that years of work on their organic eco-garden will now be wasted.