CORONATION Street star Nikki Sanderson has gone back to school -- in a bid to save it from closure.

The 18-year-old Bury girl, who plays Candice in the popular soap, is a former pupil of Affetside Primary School, which faces the axe in Bury Council's education cuts.

Nikki left the school in year three when her family moved to Brandlesholme but kept in touch and was delighted when she was asked to open the annual school fair on Saturday. I think it is such a shame they want to close it. I enjoyed it here," she said.

"In fact I got my first acting part here, playing Mary in the school play when I was five."

Parents, pupils, family and friends of the school on the Bury and Bolton border turned out in force to support the fair and headteacher Sue Porter said they are all determined to continue fighting the closure plans.

"Support is very strong and we have already got over 1,000 names on a petition. The children and parents are 100pc behind the school," she said.

"Hopefully common sense will prevail. It would really be a tragedy if the school closed.

"This will definitely not be our last summer fair!"

Bury councillors will discuss the proposed closure of Affetside school again next month.