TIME has run out for a group of Merseyside parents who planned to set up their own school after their children's primary was closed down.

One hundred parents at Marymount Convent School in Wallasey formed an action team and launched a £1m fund to preserve the 125-year-old institution when the holy order which established it decided to end teaching.

The parents had hoped to set up the new school in a nearby Georgian mansion, Liscard Hall, and fought a lengthy battle to obtain the lease from the local authority.

That battle was finally won on Friday but last night the parents decided to call it a day because they say they don't have enough time to carry out necessary structural work before the start of term in September.

The situation was further embroiled in controversy following the local elections which left Wirral a hung council.

The authority owns the hall and the decision on who takes the lease is taken by the cabinet executive, which is split between five Labour, three Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats.

Although the parents won the backing of the two smaller parties, Labour voted against and vetoed the plans saying community groups should have the building instead of a fee-paying school.

Action team member Catherine Murphy, whose five-year-old son Tommy attended the school, said: "We have decided to withdraw our interest in Liscard Hall.

"The whole situation has turned into a political controversy. We became embroiled in it and unwillingly so.

" "We had hoped the community would support us and everybody would get the best out of Liscard Hall. But it wasn't to be.

"It's a very sad time for all of us and now we're facing the prospect of having to find schools for our children at such short notice."

Coun Phil Davies, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: "In a way I am pleased the Marymount team has withdrew as that means we can now work with the community to get a use for Liscard Hall which involves everybody."

Mrs Murphy added: "We are not giving up completely.

"We are looking at alternatives."