A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl has written a touching poem to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking him to save her school.

Chloe Mckenna is among a number children at Aycliffe Village Primary School who have joined in the fight to keep it open.

The school is one of 23 being considered for possible closure by Durham County Council in a £300m education shake-up.

Parents, teachers, governors and villagers have joined forces to form an action committee in an effort to show the council it is at the heart of the community.

Education chiefs have insisted no final decision has been taken and have promised they will take all comments on board.

The school's children have written letters to the Prime Minister, the Education Secretary, the county's director of education and local councillors to make sure their voices are heard.

One pupil, Chloe Mckenna, decided to write a poem to express her feelings because she thought Mr Blair would take more notice of it than a letter.

Chloe, whose seven-year-old sister, Amber, also attends Aycliffe Village, said: "I don't want our school to close. I'd be really sad because my sister would still be here, so she would have to move schools and swap all her best friends.

"The headteacher and all the other teachers are great. The school's been here a long time and if it were to close the village wouldn't be the same."

Headteacher Jo Clarke said: "The children have got involved in supporting the save our school campaign and have been writing letters to various significant people, including Mr Blair.

"Out of her own initiative, Chloe came to school one day having written this lovely poem to him.

"Obviously, the children want the school to stay open."

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council denied the school was on a "hit list" and said: "We welcome any feedback from anyone interested in education in County Durham, and especially the views of the children.

"The views expressed between now and the end of the July will be taken on board and form part of a much more formal consultation in the future."

A spokeswoman for Tony Blair's office declined to comment.

Information on the Aycliffe Village campaign, which includes an electronic petition, can be found at www.saveourschool.org.uk