PARENTS who are seeing red at plans to close a primary school have kick-started their campaign to keep it open.

Friends, staff and parents of Affetside Primary School have begun a fund-raising drive to help pay for legal costs in their bid to stop Bury's local education authority from shutting the village school.

And parent Wayne Kennedy, whose daughter attends the school, is to auction of one of his prized possessions, a football shirt signed by most of Manchester City FC first team players as well as that of manager Kevin Keegan. The players have also signed a petition against moves to close the school.

Despite the Schools Organising Committee ruling the school should close in line with LEA plans to address falling pupil rolls, the SAS (Save Affetside School) are determined to do everything in their power to keep the school open.

The group was formed back in January, when proposals were announced to close the school.

Mr Kennedy said: "Kevin and the lads at City have been absolutely fantastic and were all very happy to sign the shirt to help the school. I can't thank them enough for their contribution.

"My family are behind the school and will do what we can to help the fight against the closure. Sadie receives an excellent standard of education at Affetside Primary and the decision to close doesn't make sound educational sense. The LEA should be raising standards not reducing them.

"If our bid to save the school is successful then that will be a triumph, if not, at least we'll know that funds are in place to give the children the fantastic last year which they deserve. They have been treated simply as numbers to fill surplus places in other school, not as people -- it's time to put them first."

The shirt will go to the highest bidder. To place a bid simply write to the school at Affetside Primary School, Watling Street, Affetside, Bury BL8 3QW, marking the envelope Manchester City Auction, complete with your bid, name, address and telephone number. Closing date for bids is October 11.