Opponents of plans to close a school are urging parents to make their voices heard at a public meeting next week.

A major shake-up of education in Crawley could mean Three Bridges First School would close and merge with Three Bridges Middle School.

The move would create a primary school with 570 pupils, which opponents fear could harm their children's education.

In a letter going out to parents and other local residents, members of the Save Three Bridges campaign called on people to attend a consultation meeting called by West Sussex County Council.

Leading campaigner Daryl Barnes-Austin, a governor of both schools, said: "One of the greatest concerns is children of three would be mixing with 11-year-olds. It is taking away the parents' choice to send children to small schools."

If the plans go ahead the first school would close and the middle school would reopen as an all-through primary in 2004.

A county council spokeswoman said public meetings would be held for the parents, governors and residents of every school affected by the proposals.

She said the plans were still at the consultation stage.

The meeting is on Tuesday at the middle school, Gales Drive, at 7.30pm.

For details, email savethreebridges@aol.com