LABOUR councillors on the executive committee voted unanimously to recommend the closure of St. Paul's school in Ramsbottom, though they admitted that public opinion in the town was against them.

The matter was referred to the scrutiny panel for their decision, but this action causes us come concern.

The panel has no real powers and a council officer has admitted that she can remember no occasion on which the executive has reversed a decision on the recommendation of the scrutiny panel.

We believe this referral "kicks into the long grass" a thorny problem for Labour which may not now be resolved until after the May 2 local elections.

Our school is more important than party politics. We take no party line even though some of us have voted Labour locally and nationally. But we do urge Ramsbottom voters to ask their candidates where they stand on the question of closure. It is not good enough for them to say that they are awaiting the decision of the scrutiny panel.

Unfortunately you may not get that chance. Labour candidates are so spooked by this issue that they appear to be avoiding houses with "Save Our Schools" posters in the window.

ANDREW TODD,

Save Our Schools,

St. Paul's,

Ramsbottom..