BURY schools threatened with closure were granted a brief stay of execution last night after an angry meeting lobbied by hundreds of protestors.

Under plans to tackle falling school rolls, there are plans to close Prestwich Art College by 2011 and give Parrenthorn High School a '7.5m refurbishment to cater for an extra 180 pupils.

The shake-up would also see Broad Oak High close by 2011 and, after governors formed a federation with Derby High School, a new '20m high school built.

During last night's meeting at Bury town hall councillors said they were minded to approve the proposals because "doing nothing was not an option". But they agreed to delay beginning the closure process until March 22 while they seek advice from MPs.

Banners

There will then be a six-week consultation process. Broad Oak head teacher Neil Connor walked out of the meeting followed by parents and teachers after councillors condemned criticism of their proposals.

Earlier, protesters carrying banners had marched on the town hall.

Bury council drafted the proposals after predicting there would be 2,400 surplus places in high schools within ten years.

But campaigners say the consultation process was flawed and that the education of pupils will be hit as teachers walk out. They say deprived children will lose out most.

The campaigners will spend the next three weeks lobbying against the proposals.

Lucy Cohn, who has a 12-year-old son at Prestwich Arts College, said: "I am outraged at the council's decision. It was clearly made well before they entered the room."

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