Hundreds of parents, pupils and teachers took to the streets of Halesowen this week to protest against the closure of their 170-year-old school.

They have vowed to fight to the bitter end against proposals from Dudley Council and the church to close Halesowen C of E Primary.

The march, which saw head Jim Preston don a town crier's costume, and kids brandish banners and sing protest songs, was designed to send a clear message to education chiefs.

Staff and pupils thought they would be moved enmasse next August to Hasbury C of E as part of a merger.

But they were devastated when it emerged pupils would have to apply as individuals to be moved to Hasbury and staff would be split up and moved to other borough schools, destroying the school community.

Deputy head Joy Howell said: "For four years the authority and diocese have promised us we would be merging with Hasbury C of E - they have changed their minds and decided to close us.

"We are feeling very betrayed and angry about it and want to make our views heard. They can't give a reason why.

"We have been working towards the merger - working with Hasbury C of E - getting the children and staff together.

"There's a lot of uncertainty at the moment. It's very worrying because we expected for most of the staff to be going with the children to Hasbury.

"We are going to carry on the fight to change their minds - we want the merger back on."

Reverend David Morphy, Diocese Director of Education, said plans are not finalised.

He said: "The situation for parents is not different in that every parent who wishes to have a Church of England education can go to Hasbury.

"The pain is with the teachers - instead of there being both staff losing their jobs and re-applying - this only applies to one school.

"This is to enable Hasbury to become voluntary aided.

"There is a chance the decison could be reversed - it has not been made yet - these plans are just to consult on."