A DECISION on proposed mergers of three junior and infant schools is likely to be announced early next week.

And Brighton parents opposed to the scheme hope a last-minute appeal to the Government will see it thrown out.

Junior education minister Charles Clarke is studying the proposals to merge Whitehawk, Moulsecoomb and Carden junior and infant schools.

Brighton Kemp Town MP Des Turner has put the campaigners' concerns to the minister.

In return the Government has given assurances that it will consider the opposition seriously.

Lorina Chessell, who helped form a parents' action group against the Whitehawk merger, said: "It's good to know all that we have done has counted for something. Now all we can do is wait."

Parents are concerned that younger children will suffer from having to mix with older junior pupils.

Mum-of-six Mrs Chessell, 30, of Fletching Road, Whitehawk, helped compile a 500-signature petition.

Labour councillor Pat Hawkes is calling for all three mergers to go ahead.

She said that many primary schools were suffering from being half-empty and mergers would help results.

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