ANXIOUS parents, teachers and children protested at County Hall this morning in a final bid to convince councillors to save Worcestershire's special schools.

Campaigners marched from Worcester Countryside Centre to the county council offices in Spetchley Road to hand over a petition supported by 8,500 signatures - including city MP Mike Foster.

Worcestershire County Council's plans include closing Thornton House School's Nursery Assessment Unit, in Wyld's Lane, and Manor Park School, in Turnpike Close, St John's.

The council's leader, Dr George Lord, agreed to meet the parents and accept the petition outside County Hall at around 10.15am today.

A delegation of four protestors was then expected to give a three-minute presentation at this morning's full cabinet meeting.

"Closure of special schools could result in children with special needs being dumped into the mainstream education system and stretch resources too thinly - to the disadvantage of pupils of all abilities," said lead campaigner Mary Dhonau.

Incredible

"It's incredible the council is preparing to go against common sense. The move would destroy a system that works."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff added his backing to the rally, saying the county council's plans needed to be re-thought.

"The county must go back to the drawing board and begin its analysis of special needs education all over again," he said.

"I'm not saying that we can avoid some painful choices, even then. But I am saying that we should abandon the arbitrary targets to reduce special needs places in special schools and, instead, develop a policy based on the views of the teachers and choices of parents."

Campaigners made a banner for the march - Hands Off our Special School and Nursery - with individual handprints from every child at Thornton House.

Worcestershire County Council has welcomed all public responses during the consultation period on the plans, which ends on Friday, April 30.