CONTROVERSIAL proposals to sacrifice a struggling comprehensive so a nationally acclaimed village school can expand have been passed by one of the governing bodies.

Yesterday, governors of Hurworth School decided to pursue a plan to expand the school by a third - making it a 900-pupil foundation school free from council control.

The plans would lead to Hurworth taking in half of the pupils at Eastbourne Comprehensive, ultimately leading to the latter's closure.

Darlington Borough Council had been hoping to merge Hurworth and Eastbourne into a £25m academy on the edge of the town.

But many parents in Hurworth were against the plans because the school is so successful and they want to keep its village location.

The new proposal does not have the support of the council, which has said it is still pressing ahead with its academy plans and could force Hurworth to close.

Last week, council leader John Williams branded the expansion idea "educational cleansing by social class".

Last night, Hurworth governors said: "The governors have agreed to pursue an expansion of the school to 900 places under the Government's expansion of popular schools scheme.

"The governing body hopes to continue constructive dialogue with the local authority to ensure that the governing body's plans help to meet the town's education needs."

Sam Jameson, chairwoman of the governors, said they would consult with parents, and the school hoped to gain foundation status by Easter.

Mrs Jameson said: "The governing body wants to secure the future of Hurworth School -this is another step along the way."

Last week, the relationship between Hurworth School and the council hit a new low, as headteachers and Councillor Williams traded verbal blows.

Coun Williams said the governors' plans would never come to fruition.

Last night, a council spokeswoman said the position had not changed, but that the authority would keep up talks with governors.

Share, a campaign group trying to save Hurworth School, said it was delighted by the governors' decision, which had "massive backing in the village".

Councillor Veronica Copeland, chairwoman of Eastbourne governors, said she supported the academy plan.