Supporters of a Shropshire primary school are in talks with other schools in the area to try and keep it open despite it being marked for closure.

Pupil numbers at Maesbury Primary School have dropped since the decision was made in July by Shropshire Council to close it.

Earlier this year the school had 41 pupils but this has now gone down to 27.

School supporters are trying to cut ties with the council by getting academy status in order to stay open.

The application was sent to the Department of Education earlier this year but a decision is yet to be made.

Head Rosemary Finney said today her school was in talks with Marches Schools and others to strengthen their status application.

She said: “In July when the cabinet voted I had parents coming to me saying ‘We want a secure future for children’. From the nine pupils we had in reception we now only have two of those. People don’t like uncertainty. The numbers have dropped to 27.

“The Marches School has already gone for academy status and we have strong links with them. It was an obvious choice to talk to them and we are talking to other schools.”

Mrs Finney said she still felt the school had strong support from the community. “There are a number of parents that will bring their children back if we get academy status,” she added.

She said she did not know when they would hear about the decision on the academy status. A spokesman for Marches School was not available to comment.