CORONATION Street star Nikki Sanderson went back to her old school this week to launch a campaign to save it from closure.

As reported exclusively in the Bury Times, Affetside Primary may be closed as falling pupil numbers leave classrooms empty across the borough.

On Wednesday (Feb 6), the Tottington actress, known to millions as Coronation Street's Candice, officially launched the SAS (Save Affetside School) campaign.

Nikki told the Bury Times: "I got involved because the children have a chance of a good education due to the small classes.

"If the school closes and the children are moved to a larger school they will not receive the same time and attention that they do at Affetside."

Parents, angry that the school could be shut, invited Nikki to join their fight after education bosses gave the go-ahead last week for formal consultation to discuss the primary's future. Head teacher Mrs Sue Porter vowed to put up a "spirited defence." The school has already formed an action committee of parents and governors.

The controversial proposal has been prompted by falling birth rates which have seen demand for places in the borough's primary schools drop by 1,000 in four years.

Worse is predicted and Bury will miss out on £632,000 this academic year alone because of unfilled places. Affetside has been targeted for closure because it is 40 per cent empty.

Mrs Michelle Felton, who has a seven-year-old daughter at the school, said: "Ashleigh is upset that her school might close."

Mrs Felton, who lives in Harvey Street, Bury, added: "I am devastated at the news that the school could shut. We visited a number of schools and Affetside was, in our opinion, the best. Smaller classes to me mean a better education for my daughter.

A petition has been started and members of the SAS campaign are hoping to get local councillors on their side.

Affetside is one of five primary schools in the borough under threat.

The options facing other schools in Bury:

Close either St Andrew's CE in Ramsbottom or St Paul's CE in Ramsbottom

Close either St John's CE or St Mark's CE primary schools in Bury

Merge Fishpool Infant School and St Chad's CE Junior School in Bury

Merge Radcliffe Infant and Radcliffe Junior Schools.