CHILDREN took to the streets in a battle to stop the local authority axing their village primary school.

And it looks certain the council faces similar action as it moves to shut other Wirral schools because of a crisis caused by the prospect of 4,000 empty places by 2008.

Pat Smith whose eight-year-old son, Daniel is a pupil at the Dell primary said all the children and parents were ready to fight the proposals.

She said: "All the mums agree - we are not going to give up without a fight. We don't want to move our children out of this school.

"It has excellent facilities, excellent teachers and we will fight to keep it going.

"Parents have already drawn up a petition and collected more than 1,500 signatures which shows how strongly people feel. And the children are very keen to get involved and do their bit to save the school.

"They have been writing letters to local councillors and MPs and are now writing poems about their school and why they want to keep it."

Worried mums drew up a battle plan to save the school from closure following a meeting with governors.

Chairman of governors Frank McCoy called the meeting to tell parents of the public consultation plans and to gauge the strength of feeling.

He said: "This campaign shows how much we all care about the Dell.

Mr McCoy, who has two grandchildren at the school said: "Around 60 parents turned up for the meeting and they were all irate and we got the feeling that they will fight to save their school.

"The Dell is one of the most modern schools in the area and a lot of money has been spent on the school in the past 12-18 months.

"The school has an IT suite any school would be proud of. It is not selective, it would not turn anyone away. Everyone gets a fair crack of the whip.

His praise of the school was supported by the receipt of several applications by parents to send their children to the school.

His son, Neil McCoy, said: "It is very easy for them to sit in their offices and make decisions without facing parents."

Jeanette O'Connell, whose two sons, Shane and Zack attend the school, joined the protestors outside the school.

She said: "The proposals to close the schools are disgusting. This is a good school."

Ten-year-old Shane, who uses a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, has benefited from the ramps providing access to the school.

"The school has done him ever so well," said Mrs O'Connell. "There has been no stigma and it has meant he has been kept with his peers.

"The disabled access is now up and running for any other child to benefit from this school. It would be such a waste and a shame if The Dell closed."

Volunteer teaching assistant, Jane Owen whose nine-year-old daughter is in year five, believes the school is the hub of the community.

She said: "I have been helping support the teachers here for two years and the school has been fantastic. It is amazing what it does for the community.

"The staff are totally committed. They see past any problems the children may have and offer security. It would break my heart to see the school close."