GOVERNORS last night voted to close Hurworth School in a move that has devastated parents and villagers.

The decision on the future of the village school, near Darlington, came after a heated meeting that lasted more than three hours.

The result is a hammer blow to hundreds of parents and villagers who have fought to save the school from closure since the proposals were announced more than a month ago.

Governors voted 12-7 in favour of moving the school out of the village.

But last night, the Hurworth School Action Group vowed to fight on and take the battle to "to the highest possible authorities".

Yesterday, they met Tony Blair and Darlington MP Alan Milburn to lobby for their support.

The governors' decision means Darlington Borough Council's proposal to close Hurworth and Eastbourne Comprehensive and merge them into a new £20m Hurworth School, in Yarm Road, in Darlington, has moved a step closer.

The proposals will now move into two consultation phases, which could last months.

The final go-ahead, which could still take nine month, must be given by Darlington's School Organisation Committee.

The action group said it had been buoyed after meeting the Prime Minister - within whose Sedgefield constituency Hurworth lies - who said he would "see what he could do to help".

Spokesman Ian Holme said: "We assure all those concerned that this is just the beginning of our fight."

Mr Blair said: "I fully understand the concerns of the parents of Hurworth. I will look into matters and see what I can do to help and I will take it up with my education advisors."

After last night's meeting, the chairman of governors, Robin Mair, who has fought against the plans, resigned.

A statement from Mr Mair said: "At a meeting of the governing body of Hurworth School held this evening, the governors voted in favour of the following recommendation by a majority of 12 votes to 7.

"That is, 'subject to the LEA (local education authority) policy that no negotiation is possible regarding the location of the new school site or the size of the new school, the sub-committee feels that in order to safeguard the educational standards and achievements of Hurworth School it reluctantly has to support the LEA's proposal'.

"As I voted against the proposal, I have resigned from the governing body with immediate effect."

But Dean Judson, the headteacher of Hurworth School, said: "I am absolutely over the moon. I am really happy and look forward to working with the local education authority in the consultation process."

The school has 650 pupils. The new school will cater for 1,200 from both catchment areas.

Staff from Hurworth will be automatically transferred to the new school.

It is hoped the ethos, work ethic and good practice of Hurworth, which last year saw the school named in the 40 best in the country, will also be transferred to the new school.

Last night, Eamonn Farrar, the acting headteacher of Eastbourne comprehensive, said the school's governing body had also decided to support the proposals, but added there were concerns about a total takeover.

A statement from Eastbourne governors read: "We acknowledge the reasoning behind labelling the new school as a Hurworth "takeover" of Eastbourne, however we would request Eastbourne School to be treated as an equal partner."

Mr Farrar said that he understood the concerns, but that he was excited about the prospect of the new school.

He said: "I am delighted by the governors' decision, I have made my own views clear.

"It is great news for the kids who are going to get a brand new building with a top team behind it."

A spokeswoman for Darlington council said: "We are really delighted that the governors have decided to support our proposal to increase educational standards across the town."