PASSIONATE arguments for keeping Malvern Hills Primary School open were heard by an adjudicator at a public meeting.

Richard Lindley, from the Office of the Schools' Adjudicator, held the meeting to help him decide if Worcestershire County Council was correct to rule the school should close in August.

Heather Williamson speaking for The Chase High School, family charity Homestart and Poolbrook Church, summed up the feeling of more than 30 governors, pupils and parents at Wednesday's meeting when she said: "Everybody knows that a community needs a heart. I feel for this community to lose this school would be like ripping the heart out of it."

She said The Chase would bend over backwards to support the school if it stayed open.

Vice-chairman of governors Don Brearley pointed out that Malvern Hills Primary had not been failing for years but had emerged from special measures in 2003.

He said a 921-signature petition proved the local community's support for the school and that Malvern would lose 140 school places if it shut.

"I challenge you to find another school like this in the area," he said.

Parent Cherie Bird said new adult education classes at the school would be cancelled if it closed and former pupils Naomi Bradley and Jasmin Powell said they were sad to leave.

Defending the county council's decision, education department spokesman Alison Cartwright said it was not taken lightly.

Only 17 per cent of children in the area were pupils at the school and it was felt the special measures introduced after the April Ofsted inspection would discourage parents from enrolling children.

The county council was criticised several times during the meeting for failing to support the school.

District councillor Jon Rayner accused the authority of blatant handwashing.

"The real driver for the closure of the school is to save money," he said.

The county's senior school's inspector, Marie Lawrence, said the school received a huge amount of support from her team.

Mr Lindley is due to make a decision on the school's future by the end of February. Representations can be sent (before February 8) to Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington DL3 9BG. Email offschl. adj@dfes.gsi.gov.uk.