A boy photographed with Tony Blair as an eight-month-old baby went to Downing Street today to try to save his school.

James Barnes-Austin, now five, was photographed chewing a Labour manifesto during the 1997 General Election campaign.

James, of Crawley, handed in a letter for Cherie Blair to try to save Three Bridges First School in Crawley from merger with its middle school.

James, who was joined by classmates Esther Barrott and Adam Leonard, said: "I like my school just as it is."

The letter, which is backed by hundreds of parents, was addressed to Mrs Blair, who has taken a personal interest in James since he was plucked from the crowd in 1997, his mother Daryl said.

Mrs Barnes-Austin, a lifelong Labour supporter, said: "We know that she cannot influence the decision but we just wanted her to see what we are fighting for.

"Once the merger goes through it would be impossible to expect the same awareness of all the children's needs as we now have."

Parents claim that the merger, earmarked for 2004, would increase the number of pupils and have little effect on current standards.

Laura Moffatt, the Labour MP for Crawley, said: "They like the little school they have got now.

"We are trying to demonstrate to the county council the strength of feeling of parents against this merger.

"James is quite a symbolic figure and today is another way of getting this message across."

A final decision on the planned merger is set for September.