CAMPAIGNERS hope to win places for more village children at their popular local primary school.

A parents' action group, Coxhoe Kids in Coxhoe School, has already successfully fought for five extra places to be provided for five-year-olds at Coxhoe Primary School in September.

Now, they hope that Durham County Council will agree to raise the admission limit further to accept nine older children, who go to school in other villages.

The action group carried out a survey which showed that only nine youngsters of the 27 on the official waiting list are from the village.

Group officials met the leader of the county council, Councillor Don Robson, education director Keith Mitchell, Durham MP Gerry Steinberg and other councillors to press their case.

Paul Dodsworth, group spokesman, said: "It was quite well received, and they have undertaken to review the information we have given them.

"It is our short-term aim to get places for the nine, and we think that is achievable although we don't see that happening until the planned £113,000 has been spent on upgrading the school to take the extra five first-years,'' he said.

Mr Dodsworth said the group's proposal would "impact marginally'' on class sizes except in Year Six, which already had 35 pupils.

"The director of education undertook to re-establish constructive dialogue between the action group and the governing body, which is fundamental to meeting the needs of the community.''

Mr Dodsworth said that the group "wishes to express special thanks'' to Mr Steinberg and Durham City Council leader and local councillor Maurice Crathorne for their support.

Coun Robson said: "The group did some good work and it will be taken into account when we review admissions in September. It was a very helpful meeting.''

The group launched its campaign earlier this year to press for 35 first-years instead of the planned 30 to be allowed to start in September.

Parents say the village has grown through housing development, and that children who live in the village should not have to travel outside it for their education.

Durham County Council has agreed to employ an extra teacher and improve school buildings to cater for the bigger first-year intake