PARENTS from two village schools threatened with closure have promised to unite to build the best possible future for their children's education.

At a public meeting about proposals to close Eldon Lane and Dene Valley Primary Schools families promised to work together to ensure children have a bright future.

As part of a countywide reorganisation of education Durham County Council is looking to close the two primaries and create a school on a site that would be open for community use.

Both schools have surplus places and the buildings need repairs which the council believes could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds in the next decade.

Many parents are fighting the proposed merger saying their children are settled and like attending a small community school.

Dr Norman Reed, senior policy officer, said: "Both schools have more than 25 per cent surplus places and that decline is expected to continue.

"The cost of maintaining old buildings and adapting them to meet required standards for such as disabled access will be high.

"We feel a new, purpose- built school will be more cost effective, meaning more money will go on the children than the windows and roof."

Some parents and school staff backed the proposal, regarding it as an exciting opportunity for the area and a way to bring the community together.

Fiona Callaghhan, manager of SureStart in Dene Valley, said: "I see an opportunity, through SureStart's possible involvement in a new site and the proposed nursery, to encourage more parents to introduce children to early learning from three and four years old."

Parents were urged to contact the council with their thoughts on the proposals and say where they would like to see a school built.