Fighting talk filled the school hall at St George's Junior School when parents, governors, neighbours and friends of the school pledged to stop its closure.

Essex County Council has revealed plans for a radical shake-up of infant and junior schools in the Colchester area which include closing St George's New Town Junior in Canterbury Road and merging it with the nearby infants school.

A new primary unit would be built at Wilson Marriage School to cater for the rest of the existing pupils and more in years to come.

Although proposals are at an early stage and no firm decisions have been made, feelings in the New Town area are running high.

Residents are fiercely protective of the Victorian buildings and the school's place in the community.

Attending the meeting on Monday night Ted Crunden, vice-chairman of the county education committee, was faced with a barrage of questions about the thinking behind the proposals and the lack of consultation about the school's future.

"The purpose of the review is not to disturb for the sake of it," he explained.

"In Colchester there are 1,000 surplus places overall and we have somehow to bring these down."

He explained the estimated cost of selling the St George's site was £1.5 million.

If the council reduced the number of surplus places it could expect about £5 million from the Government.

This could mean a £7 million package of modernisation and adjustment for Colchester schools.

He stressed the proposals were at an early stage and everyone would be given plenty of opportunity to make comments.

A decision on the whole package for Colchester is not due to be made until the end of March 2000.

Parent governor Alison Clements was backed by applause as she echoed the views of the 25 or more people who had already stood up and spoken.

"We will fight tooth and nail to save this school," she said.

"It is a good school, not failing in any way and we will not be punished for that. We accept that change has to happen but what could a new unit at Wilson Marriage offer children that we cannot?"

The meeting was chaired by Colchester MP Bob Russell , who in the past has spent 20 years on the governing bodies of St George's infant and junior schools.

He called for the Victorian building to be listed to preserve it and urged people to lobby the county council to think carefully before making their decision.

"There is a powerful case for the retention of this school as well as the building of a new school," he said.

"I would urge everyone to write and make their views known."

Another meeting has been called by Essex County Council to discuss the shake-up of Colchester schools at St George's Junior School on December 8 at 7.30pm.

A parent puts across his point of view to the panel (left) at Monday night's meeting

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