A COMMUNITY action group has put together a video appealing to politicians not to close their village school.

Durham County Council is considering whether or not to close the school building in Sherburn Hill, where around 45 children are taught, at the end of this academic year.

The Sherburn Hill Community Action Group was set up to fight the proposal.

They have created a video about why it should stay open, and are urging councillors to watch it before they make a decision.

Alison Curtis said: “We need support from our local authority, not our school closing down.”

“If Sherburn Hill closes, our village will suffer.”

Children have also been making banners, which they are planning to take to this month’s full council meeting as part of their protest.

Sherburn Primary School has operated from two sites since it was created in 2015 following a merger.

From September, the council wants all 166 children to be taught in Sherburn Village.

It says a reduction in pupil numbers has put significant pressure on the school budget and the current model is not sustainable.

Meanwhile, the City of Durham Labour Party has approved a motion calling for a joint feasibility study to be undertaken between Sherburn Hill residents and the Labour-controlled council to see how shared education and community use of the school site can be provided.

A statement from the group said: “It is wrong for this village to be left with no community facilities whatsoever. It has suffered years of decline and we ask Durham County Council to consider the residents request.”

In response, the council’s Linda Bailey, strategic manager for progression and learning, said: “Through both a six week public consultation in January and February, and a four week period for further feedback in March and April, opportunity has been offered to comment on the proposal to close the Sherburn Hill site of Sherburn Primary School on 31 August 2018.

“All of the responses received will be reviewed and cabinet will decide whether to move to the next stage in the process.”

Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods has backed the residents.

Hundreds of people signed a petition which was delivered by Dr Blackman-Woods to Parliament in February.