BATTLE lines have been drawn up in a bid to fight the possible closure of one of the New Forest's newest schools.

The Manor Infant School at Holbury near Fawley was opened as recently as 1981. But it is already one of a small group of schools earmarked for possible closure because of the falling birthrate and falling roll numbers.

A review is being carried out by Hampshire County Council and the options being looked at include merging the Manor with Holbury Infant School and possibly with Holbury Junior School as well. Similar options covering three other Waterside schools - Blackfield Infant and Junior and Fawley Infant - are also being looked at.

But at a meeting last night, parents and governors at the Manor drew up their plans to lobby New Forest East MP Doctor Julian Lewis and county, district and parish councillors as well.

Moves to deliver leaflets to hundreds of homes in and around the school's catchment area in a bid to drum up further support also got under way.

Governors' chairman Lisa Raynsford paid tributes to the dedicated staff and to the spirit of happiness which has built up at the Manor over the years.

"A lot of the pupils are here because of parental preference and the knowledge that the children are happy," she said, adding that the possibility of looking at church aid was being considered.

Parent Lizzie Williams told the meeting: "When the children here fall over, they may be in floods of tears and in need of a cuddle. This school gives them nurturing, it gives them love and it gives them care - as well as a good education."

Amid suggestions that cost-cutting and the possibility of selling the school grounds for profit could be a factor in the county's review, volunteer helper Douglas Eaglen, after checking with local authorities, said: "There is a sort of embargo on taking school playing fields and building on them.

"This school is also in the middle part of the Fawley Refinery hazard zone and that almost renders it a non-development type of area."

He also pointed out that with New Forest Council having floated tentative plans for 200 new houses in the Calshot area, the demand for school places around Fawley could soon be on the way back up.

Hampshire County Council's executive member for education Don Allen has pointed out that the county council cannot ignore falling pupil numbers and that reviews of educational provision are demanded by the government.

He recently told the Daily Echo: "Education is vital to young people and I want to ensure that ours is the highest quality possible. I am determined we should not waste money on maintaining empty school places where rationalisation can provide better opportunities."