PARENTS and teachers at a North Craven school threatened with closure are rejoicing after being given the opportunity to prove its worth.

Recently governors of Langcliffe Community Primary School were told that North Yorkshire County Council had earmarked the school for closure because of its low pupil numbers.

But there is hope on the horizon after concerned parents, governors and teachers pleaded with education bosses for breathing space and were granted a temporary reprieve.

Executive members for North Yorkshire County Council's Local Education Authority (LEA) have decided to give the community the chance to formulate and implement an action plan to try and improve the school's viability.

Currently only 16 children attend the school, which is below the council's figure of 23 as a critical target.

With a forecast that numbers are expected to drop to just 11 by next September, it will have to meet several challenges in terms of how it can continue to provide a good standard of education and maintain its level of staffing.

This has to be in place by half-term in the summer term 2005.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, the county council's executive member for education, said: "We know that the school has to face up to a very difficult situation if they are not able to increase their numbers.

"But we were impressed with the commitment shown by the school representatives when they met with us."