GOVERNORS of Malvern Hills Primary School say it should stay open and primary education provision in South Malvern should be fully reviewed.

In its response to Worcestershire County Council's plans to shut the school, the governing board says the authority has got its sums wrong.

It fears children who could be living at new housing developments in Malvern have not been considered and the school's closure will remove much needed surplus places.

Chairman Dinah Sage said: "The parents don't seem to be able to find places. Worcestershire County Council need to re-examine its figures."

The governors' objection also states the council edited and summarised public consultation responses in a way that biased its results, emphasising 60 objections and a 921-signature petition raised against the closure.

The county council is currently gathering responses to the school's closure. These will be sent to the School Organisation Committee, an independent body that will make the final decision.

Vice-chairman of governors Don Brealey said: "Our only hope of saving the school now is to get as many objections to the county council as possible. Drop them in and the school can forward them."

Responses should be sent by October 21 to Director of Educational Services FAO Alison Cartwright, Policy Officer - Schools Education Department, PO Box 73, Worcester, WR5 2YA.