CAMPAIGNERS fighting the planned closure of Horton-in-Ribblesdale Primary School have won the support of the national park and Craven District Council.

Both authorities have raised objections to the statutory proposals published by North Yorkshire County Council, which are out to consultation until February 2 and could mean the school closing in just three months time.

Meanwhile, the school governors are firmly opposed to the plans and say closure will not only mean the end of the school, but the loss of an essential community hub.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council said although the council appreciates the difficulties faced by the education authority, it has asked it consider alternative options to closure.

“The proposal to close the school conflicts with priorities set out in the council plan which focuses on the development and growth of the local economy and strengthening our communities," he said.

"We need to provide opportunities for rural communities to meet their own employment needs and encourage new businesses, attracting and retaining more young people and providing excellent prospects in remote rural areas such as Upper Ribblesdale.

“We appreciate the difficulties being faced by North Yorkshire County Council; however, we have asked that they look at alternative options other than closure of the school.”

And Carl Lis, chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, said closure would also be in conflict with authority's management plan, which seeks to protect services vital to the viability of its communities.

"The national park is against the closure of the school because it flies in the face of our management plan, and we have made a formal objection," he said.

The school, which has just 15 pupils on its roll, has three new teachers since the beginning of the new term, including headteacher, Martin Bishop.

Nicky Rhodes, joint chairman of governors, said it was vital the school, which is also a vital community hub in the village, remained open.

She was very grateful to the support of the national park and to Craven council and said talks are ongoing with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust with a view to establishing an outdoor learning experience with Horton as a base for outdoor learning.

It is hoped it will run alongside its Stories in Stone project designed to encourage the sustainability of rural communities within the Three Peaks area.

And she said confidence at the school was higher now than it had been for some time.

"Our new headteacher is fantastic, we are very lucky to have him, and could have done with him five and a half years ago. He has brought with him an air of calm and capability and is very supportive of the campaign, but his main priority is the teaching of the children."

The governors and the Friends of Horton in Ribblesdale Primary School have been unable to find out who holds the deeds for the school building, and say it is vitally important it remains a public building and not sold off.

"It would mean the end of Upper Ribblesdale," added Mrs Rhodes.

The Executive of North Yorkshire County Council is due to meet on February 21 to make a final decision about the school.