ST Paul's CE Primary School in Ramsbottom is the victim of a "dirty tricks" campaign by Bury Council, say protesters.

The claim was made by angry opponents of a plan to close the school and accommodate its pupils at St Andrew's CE Primary School.

Mr Andrew Todd, spokesman for St Paul's Focus Group, claims the council is deliberately neglecting to tell parents that spaces are still available at the school.

He said: "Letters have been sent to parents whose children could not get into St Andrew's advising them to approach Tottington Primary School or Hazelhurst Primary School instead.

"Isn't it strange that St Paul's, the only other CE school in Ramsbottom with reception places, has not been mentioned?

"If the case for closure of St Paul's is so strong, why the need to resort to such low deceit? Parents are deliberately being panicked into making the choice which the council wants."

Mr Todd was speaking at Thursday's (April 25) meeting of the lifelong learning scrutiny and review panel, called to discuss proposals to close and merge certain schools in an effort to tackle falling pupil rolls.

Mr Paul Cooke, head of buildings and administration, said he would investigate the matter as it contradicts the evidence he has seen.

St Andrew's headteacher Colin Cliffe said he was confident that the new accommodation which would be provided at his school would be sufficient to cater for a larger school population and assured St Paul's parents that the school would provide a secure and settled educational environment for their children.

The panel agreed to refer the matter back to the executive committee and asked that particular attention be paid to Mr Todd's claims about the letters.

Also up for discussion was the future of St John's CE Primary School and St Mark's CE Primary School in Bury. It has been recommended that both schools close and a new school open at St John's Athlone Avenue site.

"Children from both schools have to be at the centre of any decision," said St John's headteacher Janet Moore.

She revealed that a recent report of the school by an independent surveyor found that the building was sound and could expand comfortably.

Mrs Moore also pointed out that the school had accumulated enough funding to improve its nursery, create a rubberised play area, re-roof the school and improve the kitchens.

The main thrust of St Mark's argument is that it is illogical to close the school when £201,500 has been spent on improvements since 1998.

Headteacher Mr Ken Parkes said: "It appears to me that the advantages in terms of cost effectiveness and long term viability are all St Mark's, and yet it seems the size and location of St John's are deemed more important criteria."

Rector of Bury, the Rev Dr John Findon, of Manchester Diocesan Board of Education, said although St Mark's is the better building, St John's has the advantage of having more space and bigger classrooms which was why it has got the board's backing.

Parents voiced their concerns at the potential health hazards of the Fern Hill waste transfer station which is close to St John's, but Coun Steve Perkins, chairman of executive member for lifelong learning, stressed it posed no risk.

The panel agreed to refer the matter back to executive with the condition that more information is presented about the waste transfer station and there is further public consultation.