A RURAL Hampshire primary school threatened with the axe has been thrown a last-minute lifeline.

In a dramatic about-turn last night, council education chiefs voted eight to five to keep Ampfield Primary School open.

Jubilant campaigners fighting to save the 108-year-old school, shed tears of happiness - but they have to wait until tomorrow for a final decision.

Education boss Councillor Don Allen is due to give his crunch verdict at Hampshire County Council's Winchester offices in the morning.

The announcement came at the end of a four-hour meeting, when protesters delivered passionate pleas to councillors.

Ampfield parent/governor Charlie Allen, whose children are the fourth generation of her family to attend the village school, told the meeting: "I am imploring you to trust us and afford us the precious time we need to make our special school even bigger and better.

"We know the cost of the school but please let us not forget the value."

Afterwards, she was in tears as she told the Daily Echo: "I am delighted, absolutely delighted."

Chairman of governors Tony Knight was more cautious. He said: "The fact that they have voted to keep the school open does not mean that Don Allen will support it."

The education policy review committee heard that the school, which only has 23 pupils, was costing £216,000 a year to run - a staggering £9,800 per child.

Pupil numbers have plummeted in the last few years, from 67 in January 2003 to just 23 now - and only six of them come from the Ampfield catchment area.

Committee chairman Mel Kendal said: "We're paying £216,000 a year to keep open a school, whereas the money could be given to other children in the area."

But campaigners said they need just three years to turn the school around, insisting it would cost the council no extra cash.