A CAMPAIGN to save two city schools has been given a major boost with more than 800 people signing up in just two weeks.

The petition -- set up by the Save Harefield Schools Action Group in mid-March -- now has 835 signatures and organisers are hoping the large-scale public outcry will be heard.

John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen, will be meeting with campaigners to discuss how he can help and other political figures are also looking to get involved.

Education bosses are proposing the closure of the 180-place Harefield Infant School and its amalgamation with the neighbouring 238-place Harefield Junior School.

This would see the construction of a new 210-place primary school on the existing junior school site by next September.

But it would mean the loss of more than 200 places.

Steve Morrison, campaign group chairman, said levels of support were high because of the impact of the closures.

"The whole community would be affected," he said.

"It affects generations from grandparents through to young adults who one day hope to educate their children in Harefield. If the plans go ahead it will mean one in three children on the estate will need to go elsewhere.

"D-Day for our campaign is April 14 and then the final decision will be made on May 12. We are fighting for the needs of the children. It is in their best interest that the two schools remain and the community is proving its awareness of this."

The overall strategy is to remove 361 surplus places across the Bitterne and the Townhill Park area due to dwindling birth rates.

Beechwood Junior School will see the number of places reduced from 360 to 240.

Moorlands Infant School will be saved by increasing places from 180 to 210 and turning it into a junior school.

John Denham said: "I certainly want to go through the options with the group."