Parents will rally a council meeting in hope of expanding their children’s school - instead of seeing developers build a block of flats next to its playground.

Heene First School in Norfolk Road, Worthing, needs to find space to accommodate extra classrooms when it becomes a primary school from September.

The school plans to build on its existing playground – a move parents say will reduce it to “almost nothing”.

Instead, parents say expanding on the site of an old pub which backs on to the school would prove a better option.

But the land is subject to a planning application from developers who want to build a block of flats.

Parents and children will protest outside a council planning meeting at Worthing Town Hall on Wednesday, where it will be decided if the developer’s application is successful.

Parent Alan McKinney said: “We want the application rejected so the county council has a greater ability in purchasing the land for the school to expand on to.

“We've been advised to expect it to go through and if it does, the council will struggle to find the funds to purchase it - leaving the school with very little playground left.”

The parents’ rally will take place at 5.30pm. For details on their campaign visit www.heeneparents.co.uk