COUNCILLORS last night backed campaigners fighting to keep millions of pounds of school funding.

Kirklees Council voted unanimously yesterday to support the four schools sports partnerships in the district, which are facing the axe because of the public spending squeeze.

Sports partnerships run competitions for children of all abilities as well as helping gifted young people excel.

Every school in Kirklees is a member of one of the partnerships, which are based at Holmfirth High School, Newsome High School, St John Fisher Catholic High School in Dewsbury and Spen Valley High School in Liversedge.

In October the Government announced it would cut the £162m-a-year programme

Brenda Hilton of Pennine Sports Partnership based at Holmfirth High last night called on councillors to back the campaign against the cut.

She told councillors at Huddersfield Town Hall: “The Government has decided to withdraw funding to sports partnerships and we’re very worried that this would affect the delivery of school sports.

“This would mean that inequalities would widen. Young people from the Colne Valley to Cleckheaton should have the same opportunities through sport. We would like you to help us deliver this Olympic legacy.”

The monthly council meeting then debated a Lib Dem motion expressing “considerable concern” about the cut and calling on Kirklees to “develop proposals to sustain the good work of the schools sports partnerships”.

Golcar Lib Dem Clr Andrew Marchington told the meeting: “This is a classic example of central government not quite seeing the whole picture.

“If kids are fit and healthy they are more likely to be happy.

“To cut a whole programme like this is not acceptable and we, as a council, need to look at what we can do.”

Kirklees Cabinet member for young people Clr Ken Smith agreed.

The Ashbrow Labour man said: “We know all about the dangers of inactivity for young people. Sports partnerships give young people a brighter future.

“We will attempt to continue sporting activities for young people.”

The council unanimously backed the Lib Dem motion.