No one could have fought harder to keep their special school than the parents, teachers and pupils at St Anne's in Lewes.

But after a report from an independent adjudicator recommending closure, it seems the long battle is over.

It is a tragedy the adjudicator chose to back East Sussex County Council in closing such a wonderful school.

Everyone, including the education authority, schools inspectors and parents have testified to the high level of care and education being provided there.

The adjudicator said he was not convinced the school could continue to be viable, educationally or financially, in the years ahead.

Many in Lewes will feel if the county council had put its heart and soul into St Anne's a bit more that could easily have been achieved.

What worries some parents is that children with special needs will not always get the same attention if they go to mainstream schools.

There's no point in fighting this decision, however regrettable, any more, for it would really be a lost cause.

What campaigners must ensure is that during its last years St Anne's continues to provide an excellent education.

Then attention must turn to insisting that the children get equally good treatment when they eventually go to other schools.