AN ARMY of youngsters stormed Huddersfield Town Hall yesterday and demanded: "Don't close our school!"

More than 80 pupils, staff and parents from RM Grylls Middle School at Liversedge turned up to plead with top-ranking councillors.

Kirklees Council officers have recommended the school is closed because of rapidly falling student numbers.

The kids arrived from their classrooms on coaches followed by a 12-wheeler lorry with "Save RM Grylls" emblazoned in letters on the side.

Then the group chanted their message to passing Christmas shoppers.

The meeting of the Education and People Service Cabinet Committee - attended by council leader Kath Pinnock and her deputy John Smithson - had to be moved to the council chamber to accommodate the crowd.

A final decision will not be announced about the future of the 53-year-old school until December 21. But after the heated meeting, which saw one furious parent storm out, chair of governors Marjorie Rhys-Vivian admitted they were facing defeat.

The former teacher said: "The councillors have told me the school will close.

"I am devastated but after hearing what has been said today I think that is the truth.

"I think money is being put before what is best for the children."

She added: "Some of these children will have to travel more than a mile and a half to school.

"I don't think their safety has been considered."

The school, situated in the Windy Bank estate, received a glowing Ofsted report last year and gained high praise in the local education authority inspection.

But consistently falling pupil numbers - down to 140 - have left the school £200,000 in debt.

It is now claimed this lack of money is resulting in gaps in the youngsters' education.

Clr Smithson said: "This is a very sad and emotive issue. What the teachers have achieved at this school is excellent and no-one is suggesting that proposals to close the school is a reflection on the school.

"But the fact is the school is highly in debt. That is the school's debt and not the councils but we cannot let this continue.

"If we could keep it open we would. We do not want to close it. We do not want to move the children."

If councillors vote to shut the school the children would join neighbouring West End Middle School, in South Parade, which would have money spent on it to accommodate the influx.

Clr Pinnock agreed the meeting on December 21 should be held at Cleckheaton Town Hall to make it easier for people to attend if the hall was free that night.