Parents campaigning against the closure of their school packed out a public meeting.

Almost 100 people gathered at Fishersgate First School in Gardner Road, Fishersgate, Brighton, last night to debate a proposed education shake-up.

They are dismayed at plans to merge the school with Manor Hall First School and Manor Hall Middle School in Southwick.

The new amalgamated school would be at the middle school site in Manor Hall Road.

Parent Elaine Ross said closing Fishersgate First School would be devastating for the community. Her son Kieran, five, goes to the school and her daughter, Shannon, two, will shortly start at the nursery.

Mrs Ross said: "If this school was taken away it would take away the heart of the community."

West Sussex County Council plans school mergers to create 11 all-through primary schools instead of the 17 first and middle schools in Adur district.

There are about 90 three to eight-year-olds at Fishersgate First School. Parents say that, rather than closing the school, it should extend its intake up to the age of 11, making it a nursery and all-through primary school.

The Government has earmarked Fishersgate for a children's centre with child-care for under-threes and nursery places for three and four year-olds.

Parents want a centre in the existing school. Sally Willson, chairman of governors, said: "It's in an area with many vulnerable families. Children in this area need one-to-one attention and small classes with an expert team who know their needs, and that is what our school offers."