A decision to run a merged primary school on two separate sites will be re-examined after parents' protests.

On Monday, the schools sub-committee decided against opposition that extra cash should be pumped into Goldstone Primary School in Hove so it could operate on the two sites.

However, Brighton and Hove City Council's education scrutiny committee has decided to call in the decision.

Vanessa Brown, Tory education spokeswoman, said: "It means the decision is put on hold and will be referred back to the sub-committee in September."

Jenny Barnard-Langston, Liberal Democrat education councillor, said: "The split site arrangement is in abeyance and the council will have to re-examine the options."

Her colleague, Councillor Dawn Davidson, told the committee: "No sound reason has been offered for the delivery of primary education on a split site."

The council wanted to put up new buildings at the Goldstone site when it merged with Knoll Infants. However, it could not get enough money from selling the Knoll site and the council cannot find cash from other sources.

Councillor Brown said: "Now the value of the site will be reassessed and additional methods of funding the building work looked for."

Tom Cutler, from the Goldstone Parents' Action Committee, which is campaigning for a school on one site, welcomed the move. He said: "We hope to be able to persuade them to go back to the original plan."

He said parents intended to present their case to the full council at a meeting on July 18 through a deputation.

Parents accused the education authority of failing to honour a pledge to combine the two schools. Their anger was shared by teachers and governors, who demanded Brighton and Hove City Council unite the schools on a single site.

They said the move was promised two years ago.

The two schools were brought under the headship of Richard Sutton-Smith and one name, Goldstone Primary, last year.

Parents were angry the schools were split between two sites in Laburnum Avenue and Stapley Road. Goldstone Parents' Action wants one site expanded to accommodate all the children.

It is backed by Mr Smith who believes children would have a better education on the same site.

Overview chairman Simon Charleton said: "This is obviously a sensible way forward."

Councillor Pat Hawkes, who chairs the sub-committee, said: "We welcome this request to look again at this complex issue."