TWO borough primary schools have moved a step closer to the axe after education chiefs agreed to formal public consultation over their proposed closure.
Gorsthills and Mansfield have been earmarked for the chop as part of Cheshire County Council's Transforming Learning scheme.
And at yesterday's executive council meeting it was agreed formal consultation meetings should now be held before deciding whether to close the schools - a move which could come into effect on August 31, 2007.
The news comes as a particular blow to Gorsthills campaigners after the council's school select panel, which met last month, decided not to make a decision until looking at the possibility of reducing the numbers in larger primary schools in the borough, rather than closing the school.
But education chiefs have decided not to take that option at the moment and have instead put Gorsthills forward for formal consultation, during which the county council will provide more detailed information about the proposals.
Parent governor Ian Finlay, who has spearheaded the 'Save Gorsthills' battle, said: 'It's not the news that we were hoping for but it's not the end of the world.
'I'm not totally disheartened as I still believe we have a good case for keeping Gorsthills open. Our fight will continue.'
Leading Mansfield campaigner Sarah Duncan, who has two children at the school, said: 'We were expecting it to go through to formal consultation so we've been concentrating on our next strategy.
'We want to show the county council that we're not just numbers but people who rely on this school. We'll keep on fighting.'
A Cheshire County Council spokesman said: 'We will now work with the schools to arrange a suitable date for the meetings, where parents will have the opportunity to look at our plans in more detail and share their views.'
Education chiefs have also agreed to public consultation over the amalgamation of Woodlands Infant and Junior schools.
They have also agreed to offer support over the possible amalgamation of Our Lady's Catholic Infant and Junior schools and St Saviour's Catholic Infant and Junior schools, with the final decision resting with the schools' governing body and the Catholic Diocese.
During the executive council meeting it was also agreed a further period of informal consultation be granted on the possible closure of Cheshire Oaks, Sutton High and Whitby high schools.
Motormen offer backing
VAUXHALL Motors FC has pledged its support for the campaign to save Mansfield Primary School.
The Motormen have vowed to back parents and pupils at Saturday's home clash with Lancaster City by getting the players to wear armbands.
The club will also have a message written inside the programme and one delivered over the PA system urging supporters to pick up a free blue ribbon inside the ground to back the school's Tie A Ribbon Campaign.
Sixteen pupils will also get the chance to walk on to the Rivacre Park turf alongside the squad before kick-off.
Club secretary Carole Paisey said: 'It's a good cause and should be an enjoyable day for the children.
'It's not nice to hear that a school could be closing and, as the main team in Ellesmere Port, we wanted to show our support.'
Meanwhile, borough MP Andrew Miller met Mansfield's acting headteacher Janet Henderson and the chairman of governors Diane Cooke on Friday to see the school's facilities.
Mr Miller also spoke to a group of parents campaigning against closure. Mansfield supporter Sarah Duncan said: 'It was great for him to come and he gave us some good advice.
'We need to try and get as many current and former students as well as nearby residents to write to the county council explaining how vital it is that our school stays open.'
