An independent school adjudicator has been brought in for the first time in Bury to decide whether St Paul's CE Primary should close.

St Paul's CE Primary was thrown a lifeline by the Schools Organisation Committee which failed to reach a unanimous decision on Local Education Authority proposals to close it. Education chiefs say the school has to shut to help address falling pupil rolls and surplus school places in the borough.

Representatives from Bury LEA were called to attend a meeting along with members of the St Paul's SOS Save Our School group.

A spokesman for the LEA told the Bury Times: "This is the first time an independent schools adjudicator has called for a public meeting. In the past it has been a desktop exercise.

"We are not sure whether we will be asked to give a presentation or answer questions. And there is no certainty that a decision will be reached by the adjudicator, although we would expect one in a reasonable space of time following the meeting."