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

The decision on the future of the school 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 plan was announced more than a month ago.

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

But Hurworth School Action Group has vowed to fight on. On Monday, 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, Darlington, has moved a step closer. Two consultation phases now follow, which could last months.

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."

Robin Mair, chairman of governors, who has fought against the plans, resigned after Monday's meeting.

But Dean Judson, headteacher of Hurworth School, said he was very happy and looked forward to working with the local education authority in the consultation process.

Hurworth has 650 pupils but the new school will cater for 1,200 from both catchment areas. Staff from Hurworth will be automatically transferred to the new school.

Eamonn Farrar, acting headteacher of Eastbourne Comprehensive, said its governing body had also decided to support the proposals, but there were concerns about a total takeover.

Meanwhile the governing body of Hurworth Primary School has expressed 'extreme concerns' about the proposal.

A statement said: "Our school is a feeder primary school for Hurworth Comprehensive, with virtually 100 per cent of our children moving up to the secondary school in the village. Any suggested closure of the secondary school will have a severe impact on our children."