BATTLING dad Ken Toft is planning to take the growing campaign against the closure of a Congleton high school to 10 Downing Street.

Mr Toft is hoping to win a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair to tell him of the opposition to plans to shut Westlands High School.

He also plans to present Mr Blair with a 1,000-name petition against moves to shut Westlands and move its pupils to the town's other high schools.

Mr Toft is the press officer for Action Concern for Congleton Education, a campaign hoping to enlist the support of Congleton MP Ann Winterton, who Mr Toft is due to meet, and Education Secretary David Blunkett.

"I'm due to have a meeting with Mrs Winterton, and am hoping to go down to London to present the petition to Tony Blair and explain the campaign to him,'' said Mr Toft.

Only 10 electors are needed to oppose the proposals for them to go before Mr Blunkett for his decision on the closure plans.

Mr Toft is confident that enough people will raise formal objections for Mr Blunkett to be called on for a final decision, one which is not expected before August.

Some 100 parents and governors attended a public meeting staged by ACCE at Astbury Village Hall, with people voicing concern about how the radical education plans would be funded.

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