Tearful parents at two Bradford special schools have vowed to carry on the fight to save them after Bradford Council decided to close them down.

At a stormy meeting of the Council last night, Labour councillors voted to close Heaton Royds Special School in Redburn Drive, Shipley, and Greenfields Special School in Idle.

The plan was opposed by Tory and Liberal Democrat councillors.

The Council plans to open a combined 90-pupil school by 2001 at either the site of Baildon C of E Primary School or Swain House Middle School.

The families crowded into the public gallery as a major row erupted between councillors, with education committee chairman Councillor Susanne Rooney in the firing line. One parent shouted, "How would you like to look after my child for a week?" while others called "Shame". Liberal Democrat Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle) has complained to Local Government Ombudsman Patricia Thomas about "flawed" consultation procedures. He claims a petition signed by hundreds of people was ignored while the Council based its findings on the opposition of a small number of people.

Councillor Dale Smith (Con, Rombalds) has asked Chief Executive Ian Stewart for an inquiry over the handling of the affair. The Council agreed to full consultation with both schools about their future.

During a heated debate, Coun Smith referred to the "scandal" of a missing letter from a Government office recommending the closure of both schools, which only came to light at the 11th hour at last Friday's education committee.

Coun Rooney said: "Bradford does not require a school for autistic pupils.

"We have gone out for more consultation and more work will be done to get the right provision. Can I ensure parents, staff and pupils that every endeavour will be made to listen to your concerns."

Speaking after the vote, worried parent Louise Watson, whose six-year-old son Edward attends Greenfield School, said: "The Family Action Group are going to take this all the way to the top - we're not stopping the fight here. When Edward goes to school, I know he is going to be looked after and cared for.''

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