PARENTS fighting to save a Ramsbottom primary school will find out on Thursday (Sept 5) if their high-profile campaign has been a success.

The School Organisation Committee (SOC) will meet in the Radcliffe Civic Suite at 7.30pm to decide whether St Paul's CE primary should be closed and pupils be accommodated in nearby St Andrew's.

Bury Council's decision-making body, the executive, has agreed to press on with the proposals brought about to address falling pupil rolls. But the final decision lies with the SOC, which is made up of representatives from various bodies, including the council and the Church.

Since the proposal to close the Crow Lane school was unveiled by education bosses earlier this year members of SOS (Save our School) have been petitioning and lobbying councillors to ensure the school stays open. The campaign group refutes council figures claiming there are not enough pupils to justify the school remaining open.

In July, parents of pupils attending Affetside Primary School failed in their bid to keep the school open after the SOC ruled in favour of the council. However, the parental Save Affetside School Action Group is pursuing legal action to overturn the decision.

The SOC will also rule on less-controversial plans to merge Fishpool Infant School, in Bury, with St Chad's CE Junior School, and merge St John's CE Primary, Bury, and St Mark's CE Primary School.