Parents battling to save their children's school were today calling for more time to come with a plan to prevent its closure.

The consultation period on the future of East Brighton College of Media Arts (Comart) is expected to end on Friday.

The only option being recommended as part of Brighton and Hove City Council's public consultation is for the school to close.

Campaigners want the consultation to be extended so other options for the school's future can be investigated.

Members of the Local Education Action Group were today meeting with Liz Wylie, assistant director for the children, families and schools department at the council.

Group members were handing over a 15-page report, which suggests a small community school with extended services and specialising in vocational studies should be set up on the Comart site in Wilson Avenue.

Campaigner Kevin Dale said: "We believe this option needs to be looked at more thoroughly and more time is needed for this.

"We have gone into everything in great detail and believe we have a case. We are open to all types of suggestions and ideas.

"The main thing is that we simply do not believe the school should close.

"There are plenty of other options to be considered."

The report was drawn up with the backing of community leaders councillors, teachers, governors and students.

Comart is threatened with closure because of falling pupil numbers, poor exam results and high truancy rates.

But campaigners say shutting the school would disrupt the education of present students.

They also fear it would cost parents more money in bus fares and new uniforms and stop them from playing an active role in their children's school lives.

The group believes closing the school would have a negative effect on long-term plans to regenerate the East Brighton area.

The report says: "One should not simply abandon a school. Instead, the aim should be to enhance well-being within the community and to bring it and the school up to standards elsewhere."

Campaigners are backed by high-profile headteacher Andy Schofield from Varndean School, who is the first secondary head in Brighton and Hove to publicly support the campaign.

Mrs Wylie has said if there was a viable option for the future of the school then it would be looked at carefully.