THE battle to save Buerton Primary School was handed a major boost this week as campaigners were granted a meeting with the government's junior education minister.

Cheshire County Council has voted to close the village school in the summer after claiming the centre's 32 pupils were costing nearly £2,000 per head above the county average and that closing it would save £63,000 a year.

Details of the objections will be sent to the government by March 14, but parents and representatives of the school launched a pre-emptive strike on Monday by travelling to London for talks with Estelle Morris.

Parents' spokesman Steve Cooke said the meeting went well.

"We were all pleased with what Mrs Morris said to us. She was very helpful," he said.

"At the moment they are waiting for the county council to submit their paperwork and she will look at the OFSTED report and what we have said today before making the final decision.

"She has assured us that she will look at the community aspect because it's the only building we have for community use."

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