A CONSULTATION exercise into the proposed closure of a tiny village school has been launched.

Parents have vowed to fight the closure of Tosside Primary School tooth and nail.

But a question mark hangs over its future after cuts in Government funding for schools with small numbers of children.

The school, which last year received a glowing report from Government inspectors, has only nine pupils.

County councillors gave the go-ahead for a consultation exercise into the possible closure of the Ribble Valley school earlier this year.

Concerned parents held talks to see what action could be taken and school governors wrote to education chiefs warning they would strongly oppose closure.

Education bosses have acknowledged that the nearest alternative Lancashire school for Tosside pupils was five miles away and, if it closes, most parents are likely to send children to schools in Yorkshire.

A county council spokesman said: "We have just started a formal consultation period. One option is to close the school, but no formal decision has been made as yet. Parents, governors and villagers are being asked their opinions and a report on the matter is expected in September."

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