HUNDREDS turned out to pledge their support in the fight to keep a primary school open.

Onny Primary School is one of three in south Shropshire threatened with closure under cost saving proposals from Shropshire Council.

The others are Upper Lydbury and Hopton Wafers Primary schools.

The Keeping Onny Open Committee received huge backing from local people last week during its ‘Big Community Meeting’ Chairman Joseph Roberts revealed a business plan is being designed to keep Onny open.

And new headteacher (designate), Roseanne Pugh told those present she “absolutely believes”in the school and will do anything with in her power to help.

“We are overwhelmed by the support we received at our community meeting,” said Janet Giles, a member of the action group.

Local people are being asked to come up with ideas for opening the school up to the community and any skills they might have to help make those things happen.

“There were a huge amount of ideas that came from this" said Janet.

"From dance classes to weekend tea rooms, these ideas will now be thought about in more detail.”

The rally was held ahead of a crunch meeting with council officials.

And Onny Action Group members were out in force in Ludlow on Tuesday collecting signatures for a petition calling for a debate about the future of the school at Shropshire Council.

Meanwhile, Dave Bradford, chairman of governors at Hopton Wafers School is “hopeful”his school can be saved after meeting with education chiefs.

He said governors and staff had met with education officers and there had also been a well-attended public meeting.

“We were able to present our proposals for keeping the school open and working more closely with other schools in the local area,”said Mr Bradford. “At Hopton Wafers we have been aware of the situation for some time and therefore had proposals ready to present.” “The meetings with education officials seemed to go well. I think they were impressed that we were not there to wave placards but had constructive ideas for keeping our school open.”