I WAS interested by Ian Duncan-Smith's reference to local schools in his conference speech, and his apparent opposition to closures when local communities want them kept open.

There is a growing list of such local schools in Wyre Forest that want to stay open, and his explicit support for us would be very welcome.

However, he would have to over-rule his controlling Conservative colleagues at County Hall to get a result for us.

Would he do that, or would he be cynical and ignore our plight?

Was it just a throwaway line? Perhaps I will write to him and find out.

NIGEL KNOWLES

Welch Gate

Bewdley