PARENTS of pupils at a village school have launched a "hands off" campaign following proposals to merge it with a Kidderminster counterpart.

Stone First School, which has just 68 children, might have to close and transfer pupils to Spennells First School as part of Worcestershire County Council's controversial plans to tackle surplus places and raise standards across Wyre Forest schools.

But parents have united to fight for the school's future - and pupils are joining in by making handprints to plaster round the school to illustrate the campaign.

More than 60 parents have already attended a meeting to test the level of support and organiser Jayne Peters said they were lobbying county councillors and drumming up support in the village.

She said: "We've got very high standards - we had a brilliant Ofsted report and the teachers are fantastic," said Mrs Peters.

She also highlighted the school's small class sizes, few surplus places and traditions stemming from its status as a Church of England school.

"At harvest time the children take fruit and vegetables and walk down to the village to they give them to the old people.

"You don't get that anywhere else. It's all those traditions that are being kept alive. If they close the school that will not go on."

Mrs Peters, 35, of Dotterell Place, Kidderminster, has two sons at the school and said she would like her 18-month-old daughter to follow.

She added the campaign had the full support of governors and teachers.

Stone county councillor Stephen Clee said the school was central to the village.

"It keeps the community alive," he said. "There's no post office and no shop - the school is the hub of the community. For the fabric of Stone it's vitally important that it stays open."

Last month the county council released a consultation document outlining possible mergers among first schools but the proposals are still at an early stage and are open to debate.

A meeting between county council officers and Stone parents will take place on June 17.

l If your school is forming an action group contact the Shuttle/Times and News Newsdesk on 01562 633347.