PLANS for a new village primary school are at risk because it needs an extra £500,000.

Estimates for the cost of the building in Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, near Thirsk, have doubled and it is believed that North Yorkshire County Council is unlikely to grant more cash.

A meeting of school governors has been called for next week to discuss the crisis.

The funding shortfall means the 33 pupils will be sent to Sowerby Primary School and All Saints Roman Catholic School in Thirsk from September.

Bernadette Jones, head of policy and development at the county council, said: "The total amount needed is in the region of £1.1m and this is twice the amount which was envisaged.

"The issue of more funding will go to the county's executive committee, which has the recommendation of no more funding."

School campaigner and county councillor Gareth Dadd said: "It has been the saddest time I have endured in politics.

"However, alternatives, and the fight to retain the school in Sutton will continue by myself and the massive support previously given by parents and residents."

The school operates in two classrooms owned by the village institute committee and the Church of England.

Several years ago, the village institute was given funding to allow it to redevelop the hall.

The school was told it would have to vacate the building and moves were made to find an alternative.

A plan to build a school on land next to the village institute fell through three years ago.

A second contentious plan, which was granted approval, sought to build the school on a field outside the village.

This was criticised over road safety issues but was given approval earlier this year at an estimated cost of £500,000.

Funding was given by several sources, including the county council and the Peake Request Fund.

With just six months to spend its grant, the village institute gave the school four months notice to leave the site by August.

Gill Wight, chairwoman of the institute committee, said it may be able to help the school.

She said if a plan to develop the land beside the school, looked at in 2003, was drafted again, the committee would reconsider it.