THE community of Blagdon Hill was stunned this week when it emerged their primary school is likely to close in a year.

The leading governor said the county council was determined to close it at any cost to save cash.

A report to Somerset County Council's executive board next Wednesday recommends formal consultation on closing.

It says the school has 18 pupils, with only eight living within two miles, and 42 unfilled places, while 70 children from the catchment area attend other schools.

A county spokesman said: "The report highlights that, should the school close in August 2009, the pupils can be accommodated comfortably at the other local schools - Churchstanton or Trull.

"Of 568 consultation documents about the school sent to the whole of the catchment area, governors, parents, staff and others, less than 60 replies were received."

Blagdon Hill Primary School chairman of governors Jonathan Langdon said he believed the decision was a "fait accompli".

He added: "The decision was made ages ago and they've just tried to get things together to support that.

"They're not prepared to admit it's purely financial."

More than 100 people attended a meeting during county consultations to protest at closure proposals.

"It's a good school where children have an excellent education. The community wants it to stay open," added Mr Langdon.

"Small schools were told to look at federating with others - we're in a soft federation with Churchstanton and were looking at turning it into a hard federation, but we're not being given the opportunity.

"They simply don't want it to stay open, but we're not giving up."

*The county also plans to close Hemington Community Primary School, near Frome, and will review Binegar, near Shepton Mallet, and Kingsdon, near Somerton, next year to see if they have federated. Winsham will be included in a review of South Somerset schools next summer.