THE campaign to keep Nynehead Primary School open received a further boost on Tuesday thanks to a visit from West Country MEP, Neil Parish, who pledged to do all he can to help keep the school open.

Villagers in Nynehead were stunned recently when they heard that Somerset County Council were planning to close the school, which was founded in 1820.

In response, local villagers formed the Nynehead Action Group in an attempt to keep the school open.

Mr Parish heard about the campaign after being contacted by Mark Formosa, who is standing for the Conservatives in Taunton at the next General Election, and by the Nynehead Action Group.

Mr Parish said: "Having just been shown round this school, I can't believe that its closure is even being talked about.

“It's a great school yet because of Somerset County Council's rigid policy on catchment areas, it can't attract enough pupils.

“The council needs to broaden the catchment area and being a good school, Nynehead would easily attract enough pupils.

"I am right behind the campaign to keep the school open. In Somerset rural life appears to be constantly under threat.

“First we see post offices close, then we see no improvement in transport or bus links and now small schools are under threat because of a constant drive for bigger, more centralised facilities.

“We need to stand up for our rural areas and keep schools like Nynehead Primary open."