OVER 1,000 Bromyard residents have vowed to win their fight against plans to close Queen Elizabeth Humanities College.

A total of 1,126 people - roughly a quarter of the town - voted unanimously against proposals to end secondary education in Bromyard at Thursday's meeting.

Packed into three halls, the public agreed to a motion set the night before by Bromyard Town Council - a vote of no confidence in council leader, Roger Phillips, Member for Children's Services, Jenny Hyde, and two senior LEA officers.

It also called for an immediate withdrawal of the plans proposing the closure of the college, and the creation of a new secondary school at Minster in Leominster.

The proposals - which involve the amalgamation, or closure of dozens of Herefordshire schools - come in light of falling pupil numbers and low government funding.

But for Bromyard parents - whose pupils would have to travel to Leominster if the plans are approved, the plan is full of flaws.

Former pupil Nicola Ivison, 23, is one of 280 people to sign a petition on social networking website, Facebook, opposing the closure.

"I think it's absolutely ludicrous," she said.

"This school is a massive part of the community and would be a shame for the council to close it, not just for education but for the town in general."

Others urged caution, like the Mayor of Bromyard, Jonathan Lester. He told parents to keep sending their kids to QE.

"We will not surrender to folly - we are capable of determining our own future and we will resist the senseless closure of our most valuable assists, and that's our children," he said.

"Rest assured, we will win."