ESTHER McVey has responded to calls for her to do more to save a Wirral special needs school from closure by urging the local authority to change their minds.

The Wirral West MP was criticised in last week’s Globe Mailbox by reader R Baines, who said she should “put some effort into the serious issues facing people in our area”, in particular, the impending closure of the Lyndale School.

The correspondent said Ms McVey should be aware that issues including West Kirby’s Christmas lights or where a new fire station is to be built are of “secondary importance compared to the problems being faced by parents, staff and children reliant upon this valued school”.

Ms McVey said she too opposes the decision to close Lyndale and while the school falls outside her constituency, said she has backed parents throughout.

She said: “I made my views clear during the chaotic and questionable consultation organised by the town hall on this issue and, for those constituents who are parents or family members, I have backed them in opposing this closure.

“The campaign by staff, parents and children, as well as the incredible support from the Globe, showed how important this school is and the unique education it provides.”

Ms McVey added: “The children who attend Lyndale are the most vulnerable in our borough – if ‘safeguarding children’ means anything to the Labour councillors in the town hall, they will rethink their decision, even at this late stage, and keep Lyndale open.”

A year of anguish and uncertainty ended in heartbreak for parents of pupils of the Eastham school when Wirral’s ruling cabinet unanimously voted to close the much-loved special needs school in December.

Parents had been hoping for a miracle but after 12 months of pleading with councillors to leave the school open, their hopes were dashed during the meeting last month.

It follows a year of anguish for parents, who have fought tirelessly to convince councillors that the Eastham school is vital to their children’s future.

Wirral Council first announced it was “minded” to close the school in December, 2013, citing a change in Government funding and falling numbers.

Lyndale will close on August 31, 2016, with pupils transferred to either Elleray Park or Stanley School.

Parents have vowed to continue fighting until the bitter end and are currently in the process of mounting a legal challenge against the decision.

Speaking at last month’s meeting, Cllr Tony Smith – Wirral’s cabinet member for children and family services – said: “I am as satisfied as I can be that maximum opportunity has been provided for the public and school community to make representations and raise concerns throughout the consultation.

"I want to acknowledge how this has been a difficult and uncertain time for the families of children at the Lyndale School and to recognise their time and commitment to advocating on behalf of their children."