OPPONENTS of the proposed amalgamation of two Darlington schools have gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition against the plan.

Parents of children at Whinfield infant and junior schools presented the petition to education chiefs at Darlington Borough Council.

In a little under three weeks, more than 300 people have added their names to the petition opposing any merger, as well as 90 of the pupils.

Parent Joanne Nevison said: "There have been six petitions handed out to parents.

"We have got a serious amount of signatures and we have also got a petition for children.

"About 90 of the older children have signed that and have written down their reasons for why they don't want an amalgamation to go ahead."

Consultation on the plans began last month after the council's cabinet agreed to an amalgamation, which would create a single 630-place primary school.

If the merger goes ahead, Whinfield would become one of the largest primary schools in the country, bigger even than some secondary schools.

Friday was the last day of the consultation period and objectors had asked parents to write letters to the borough council to express their views.

Mrs Nevison said: "Everything is positive about the school as it is, and all of the children are happy to be there.

"It works really well and the transition from the infant to junior school goes absolutely seamlessly. We don't feel there is a need to change at all."