A nursery school threatened with closure is mounting a survival campaign.

Staff and governors at Dean Road Nursery School, Ferryhill, are hoping to use public pressure to convince education chiefs not to shut their centre in favour of a nursery unit at a nearby primary school.

Durham County Council is considering closing the nursery as part of a county-wide reorganisation to tackle surplus places.

If the nursery is closed, the proposals would also see the age range of pupils at Dean Bank Primary School extended to provide early years education and day care.

Other uses for the building would be sought.

But headteacher Catherine Swan believes her nursery can provide the best start in education.

She said: "We at least want people to understand that there are two proposals side by side so they can express their opinions. It is not just a case of moving us to the school site, we would close."

A recent report on the nursery by education watchdog Ofsted identified several areas in need of improvement, which Mrs Swan said were all under way and have satisfied inspectors.

Vice-chairman of governors, Ian Emmerson, whose three-year-old son is a pupil, said: "Parents of children at the nursery now will not be affected so might not think about being concerned.

"Those children it will affect are just babies now and it is difficult to think this far ahead. But as a parent-governor I really feel we need to save this nursery school.

"We need people to speak out against the proposals and to raise awareness among the parents of prospective pupils."

Campaigners are urging parents to contact the county council with their views and to sign petitions, which will soon be available in town centre businesses.