PARENTS and members of a community have shown their support for a closure-threatened infants school after a summer fair raised £1,400 for new facilities.

St Oswald's Church of England Infant and Nursery, in Church Street, Durham, is among 23 schools considered for closure by the county council, in its "blueprint for excellence" announced last month.

The education authority is seeking to reduce the number of school surplus places county-wide and St Oswald's is 22-pupils short of capacity, a figure the council believes will rise to 41 in coming years.

The news shocked families of the 115 pupils - 70 infant and 45 nursery pupils.

People living in the Elvet area of Durham were concerned at the potential demise of a school which has served the vicinity for the past 160 years.

Governors, parents and the Durham Diocesan Board of Education said many of the surplus places will be filled in the autumn and extensive house building in the area could help bolster the school roll in years to come.

They have pledged to fight the closure plan at the school which is among the top 2.5 per cent nationally, based on SATs results, and which earned a School Achievement Award.

Parent governor Sarah Lawrence said the campaign, including a website and petition, is in full swing.

She said support at the fair, in the school grounds, showed everyone's determination.

"We are not allowing the campaign to get in the way of the school's usual activities," said Mrs Lawrence.

"Everyone really rallied round the to make the fair an outstanding success."

The Friends of St Oswald's School presented the proceeds to headteacher Kath Linsley.

Susan Raine, who chairs the group, said: "We are absolutely thrilled. For a small school like ours this is an outstanding result. The money will go towards the school's wonderful new ICT suite, which is due to open in September. The best thing about it is that everyone enjoyed the fair so much."

Other proceeds will help the refurbishment of the school library.