A MUCH-LOVED Wirral special needs school has celebrated Christmas for the last time as it prepares to close its doors for good next year.

Pupils at the Lyndale School, in Eastham, held their Christmas play last week.

The rendition of Peter Pan marked the last time they will ever celebrate the festive season as part of the Lyndale family.

Just 11 pupils remain at the school.

They have each spent many years there, where their complex needs – stemming from their vulnerability and severe disabilities – have been met by the team of dedicated staff.

Parents and staff have fought passionately over the last two years to save the school, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

The school's closure has been well documented in the Globe and comes after a decision by Wirral Council based on a drop in pupil numbers and a change in funding for special needs children.

It has been an exhausting two years for the parents of Lyndale's pupils.

Countless meetings saw parents make heart-rending pleas to the local authority.

Chrissie Brie, whose son Alex is one of the remaining pupils, is one of the passionate parents behind the Save Lyndale group and the Friends of Lyndale, which was set up to raise funds towards their legal fight.

Speaking of the Christmas play, she said: "It's something that the school always looks forward to because the effort the teachers go to is brilliant and always has been, and this year is no different.

"Even though there are only 11 kids left, they have still made a massive effort. We've gone all out because it's the last year."

The play was an emotional experience, as Ms Brie had expected.

"It's always a fabulous event," she said.

"Unfortunately it's a shame it's the last one."

Last month, Ms Brie told the Globe how the remaining money raised during their legal battle will be put to good use.

She said: "We have explored all the legal avenues and, unfortunately, the school will be closing in July 2016.

"The decision was made even before we were informed about it.

"It's not surprising, but we weren't going to go without fighting, and myself and the rest of the parents fought, and we can't say we didn't because we worked hard at it.

"We literally stopped our lives for 18 months to do nothing but work solely on this.

"At least 10 of us did nothing but fight to save Lyndale.

"It was stressful, but at least we can say we tried.

"From our point of view, we’re going to look to the future, but from the school's point of view, unfortunately, that’s the end.

"But saying that, we’re going to try out hardest to give them the best year we can give them and, hopefully, they’ll enjoy their last year here and they’ll be able to leave at least having enjoyed their last year."

Some of the school's remaining pupils will start secondary school next year, including Alex – who, along with fellow pupil Scott Howell, has been allowed to start at Foxfield early to avoid having to transition twice in two years.

"Until then, they will be looked after and cared for in the same amazing way they have been previously by the school’s incredibly dedicated team of staff."