HUNDREDS of children linked arms around their school in protest against its planned closure.

Almost 300 pupils joined parents and other supporters of Otley's All Saints Junior School to make a human chain around the school and to call on the support of the community.

Education Leeds wants to close five primary and infant schools and reopen three new primary schools for five to 11-year-olds on the sites of Westfield Infants, Ashfield Infants and All Saints Infants.

But supporters of All Saints Junior School in North Parade - which will close along with Thomas Chippendale Primary - claim original consultation papers contained incorrect details about their school and they have vowed to fight on.

They say they have been treated unfairly and add that the school's closure will rip the heart out of the community.

Parents, governors and staff plan to carry on their protest and are appealing to the wider community for support.

At Monday's protest, Paul Roberts of the All Saints Parents Action Group, told the Wharfedale Observer: "We have had fabulous support from the community today. We have 280 pupils here and over 90 per cent must have taken part in the protest. In terms of numbers, the support has been fantastic.

"It is disgraceful to close a school right in the heart of the community that has been here for more than 100 years. The facilities here are great for my two children and I do not want to lose that.

"This school ought not to be closing, but it is difficult to get that point across to the men in grey suits sitting in Leeds who probably don't know where Otley is."

He added: "We now find ourselves in a two-month period of statutory objection and many parents are appalled at the recommendation to close this excellent school. Many cannot understand how this has come about - it certainly isn't for any identifiable educational or social reasons. This school is the largest and arguably most popular in the town."

Jenny Liston, chairman of governors, added: "We are appalled by the process of consultation and decision making that applies the criteria for closure or survival so inconsistently across the schools in Otley and continues to rely on inaccurate information.

"In particular, we are aghast that teachers and children are being treated unevenly across the town, leaving some secure in post and others with the threat of job loss."

And the Rev Graham Buttanshaw, Vicar of All Saints Parish Church, said: "Shopkeepers are really worried about their business if the school closes."

He added that he believed the plans would have an effect on the whole community and that everyone should be allowed to have a say.

Prospective Parliamentary candidates Harold Best (Lab) and Adam Pritchard (Con) were also at Monday's protest.

Mr Pritchard said: "This issue is causing real pain to so many people in the town and I think that the consultation period should be extended as there remain many questions over the viability of all the schools under consideration.

"Whichever sites are chosen, I want to see a guarantee that the savings generated will be used to benefit schoolchildren here in Otley and I want to see real consideration given to parents' clear preference for change of character for the chosen schools rather than closure."

And Mr Best, after talking to parents and staff of All Saints Junior, All Saints Infants, Thomas Chippendale and Westgate Infants, said he believed All Saints Junior School should close.

"This is not an easy decision for me and it brings no joy. I have been aware for many years of the good work done by this school in preparing young children for the demands of education yet to come. However, it is my opinion the least suitable of the existing sites.

"Children are entitled to have the benefit of 21st Century facilities as far as it is possible and I think that the town centre site is not suitable for such developments."

Earlier this month Leeds City Council's Executive Board gave the go-ahead for the proposals and for the publication of statutory notices laying the way for changes to take place in September next year. People have until the middle of July to make fresh objections.

Anyone who would like to support All Saints Junior School can sign a petition at the school office. People can also comment in writing on the schools reorganisation to Chris Edwards, chief executive, Education Leeds, Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8DT.

l OWNERSHIP of the All Saints Junior School building is still in doubt.

In April the Bradford Diocese said it seemed likely that the Victorian building was owned jointly by the church and by Leeds City Council.

But now it says further investigation into the actual ownership will be deferred until the outcome of the primary schools reorganisation consultation.

Malcolm Halliday, diocese spokesman, said: "The issue is irrelevant at the moment and is not a factor that we are taking into account. It will become relevant only if the schools reorganisation committee come out in favour of the present proposals."

He said that both the council and the church would be required to get the best possible amount from the sale of the -school - if it was sold.

And he added the money would be poured back into education, although it could be used across the whole of the diocese.