CRAVEN councillors have reiterated their support against plans to close one of the district's smallest schools.

North Yorkshire County Council announced last week that it would go ahead and begin consultations with parents and the community about the future of Langcliffe Community Primary School.

The earliest date the school could close would be September 2006.

There are currently 11 pupils at Langcliffe and according to the council, numbers are forecast to fall further to 10 in September 2006 and seven by September 2007.

However, parents and governors have said it is difficult to attract parents to the school when it is threatened with closure.

Speaking at a meeting of the Craven Area Committee last Thursday, chairman of governors Ray Heaton urged councillors to continue to support the school.

Members reiterated their belief that the county council should give Langcliffe a five-year breathing space in which to improve pupil numbers.

Mr Heaton said: "The support for this school is immense. I don't know what you can do, but we do need all the help we can get. I hope you can influence the education executive."

Mr Heaton said the introduction of affordable housing in the village could also boost numbers.

But Colin Iveson, Craven District Council's democratic services manager, said: "I don't feel the amount of affordable housing built in Langcliffe will be sufficient to increase numbers and keep this school viable."

Cynthia Welbourne, North Yorkshire's director of education, told the meeting: "I think it is important to say on behalf of the county council that its record of support for its small schools is absolutely second to none.

"We have more very small schools than any other local authority in the country - indeed we have built schools that are smaller than some that close."

Coun David Heather said: "It is not only the education side of things, it is the community side. If you take the school away you take away a very large part of Langcliffe. It will really hit the community."

Formal consultations are to be carried out throughout November and depending on what happens, formal closure notices could then to be published. This would allow for another six weeks for views to be made known.