Mothers chained themselves to railings in a Suffragette-style protest against the closure of a school.

The group of 35 women attracted looks of amazement from teachers and other parents during the high-profile stunt today.

The action is the latest in a battle by parents to stop Three Bridges First School from shutting.

From 9am today a crowd of concerned parents gathered outside Three Bridges Middle School in Gale Drive.

The school is scheduled to take on pupils from the infant school which is due to shut in 2004 as part of as part of a shake-up of primary education across Crawley.

Parents have been campaigning without success to persuade West Sussex County Council to overturn the recommendation.

They said they hoped today's protest would give education leaders an idea of the strength of feeling in the community.

Chained or handcuffed to the school fence, the parents waved placards reading "Save Three Bridges" and "Small is beautiful."

Maria Leonard, of Northgate, Crawley, has two children aged seven and five at Three Bridges First School and another due to start in September.

She said: "The standard of education at the school is excellent and it has a brilliant ethos. The teachers know all the children by their names.

"The school is in excellent condition for its age. To tear it down would be a crime.

"They are sacrificing our children's education for financial profits."

Elisabeth Ortyl, of Pound Hill, Crawley, has three children at the school aged five, eight and 10.

She said: "We don't want it pulled down - it's our heritage and it is a fantastic school.

"It is the oldest school in Crawley. It is also totally safe. It would be a disaster if it was pulled down. "

Hundreds of letters against the merger, including one from Crawley Borough Council, and a 500-name petition have been sent to the county council.

A county spokeswoman said the final verdict might be by the Schools Organisation Committee or the Department of Education.