AN MP has joined the row over the proposed closure of a tiny village school.

Nigel Evans is backing parents who have vowed to fight the closure of Tosside Primary School, Gisburn Forest, tooth and nail.

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

But funding for schools with very small numbers of children is being reduced by the Government.

County councillors have given the go-ahead for a consultation exercise into the possible closure of the tiny school on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border in Ribble Valley.

Concerned parents have been holding talks to see what action can be taken to prevent the proposed closure.

Governors have already written to education chiefs warning they will strongly oppose closure plans.

Chairman James Waddington, whose two children attend the school, said: "The decision of Lancashire County Council's education sub-committee to hold a consultation exercise into possible closure has yet to be ratified, but we will fight any moves to close us down. We are proud of our school," he said. The school is being backed by Ribble Valley Coun Colin Bacon, who represents the scattered Tosside community. Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans described the proposed closure as the thin end of the wedge.

"The Government said 'education, education, education' but everything it does goes against that.

"There are many small schools in Ribble Valley and this is the thin end of the wedge.

"Schools could be closed left, right and centre on economic grounds but as soon as a village school closes a community starts to die. I am calling on the education chiefs to think long and hard before closing Tosside Primary School. It would be just another nail in the coffin of the countryside," he said.

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

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