Hundreds join protest over school

Pupils have protested against the city council's plans

Hundreds of people have joined a march protesting at plans to shut a Stoke-on-Trent high school.

Organisers said a total of 625 people joined them, walking from Hanford to Blurton to protest against the closure of Trentham High School.

The school is one of eight in the city which could be merged.

Council leaders have said the changes are necessary due to declining pupil numbers and the worsening condition of old school buildings.

Organisers of the march said that about 250 people set off from the stating point, but hundreds joined as they walked to Blurton, the site of the school where Trentham pupils would be sent.

'Mile long'

Campaigner Julian Teed said: "The number of people here today speaks volumes.

"I stood at the railway bridge and looked back, and I couldn't see the end of the column of residents, parents and children - it must have been over a mile long."

The city council is expected to make its final decision on the schools shake-up on Tuesday.

Campaigners said further protests were likely to be held outside the offices to coincide with the meeting.

The changes, planned to take place between 2009 and 2014, could see eight schools - St Peter's, Mitchell, Berry Hill, James Brindley, Edensor, Trentham, Blurton and Brownhills - merge into five academies.

Longton High School will also be shut in phases with plans for pupils to go to Sandon High School.