PARENTS must speak out before the end of next week to stop the proposed closure of district schools, a leading campaigner has said.

Parents have the power to stop shutdowns and mergers and those in charge of the final decision are listening to concerns, said concerned mum Lucy Willetts.

The consultation period being held by Worcestershire County Council ends on Friday, November 28, and three first schools facing closure came face to face with a full council meeting last week to make their case.

Mrs Willetts - who is leading the campaign to stop Lea Street First School in Kidderminster merging with St George's and St Mary's first schools onto two new sites - said: "The doors are open for discussion - we have a very strong voice and we were listened to and we feel we have a lot of support from councillors.

"The powers-that-be have been stunned by the level of support schools from all over Wyre Forest have received. Many parents think there's no point speaking up but there is - the members are listening."

Each school was given three minutes to address the full meeting of the council last Thursday ahead of the December 19 meeting of the cabinet, which will consider the findings of the consultation before giving its final decision before Easter.

Melanie Jones, who urged the retention of St Barnabas First in Kidderminster at the meeting, told the Shuttle/Times & News: "We had some positive feedback from councillors and I think many are against the review."

Mrs Jones said the option put forward in the county's Wyre Forest review to merge St Barnabas onto the site of Marlpool First was unpopular with parents.

She said: "We presented a petition with 1,300 signatures making the point that the future of St Barnabas should not be dependent on places in other schools."

Jayne Peters said every parent at Stone First School had written to the county council opposing the merger onto the site of Spennells First.

She also addressed the meeting and said: "It was the first time we came face to face with the councillors and we came away feeling a bit more positive."

The May document put forward a raft of options for Wyre Forest schools, including closing one high school in the district.

Representations can be made to Worcestershire County Council by writing to Alison Cartwright, Policy Officer for Schools, PO BOX 73, Worcester WR5 2YA or email acartwright@worcestershire.gov.uk