Local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Chris Millington tonight joined Bush Fair ward colleague Cllr Eleanor Macy and local parliamentary spokesman Lorna Spenceley at the Latton Bush Centre for the consultation meeting on the threat to the future of Brays Grove School.

Cllr Millington pointed out to the packed meeting the unreliability of some of the figures provided by the County Council to support their proposed closure of the school. Several other secondary schools would be likely to be overcrowded if Brays Grove were to close, because of extra housing which would be built in the next few years.

Cllr Macy praised Brays Grove School for its links with the local community, and urged the County Council to reconsider its closure plans. She pointed out that the County Council had closed a secondary school in Loughton, only to have to rebuild another one within a matter of years.

Residents who want to email the County Council with their views about its proposed closure of Brays Grove School need to do so by Thursday 12 January. The County Council will meet on 24 January to consider the closure of the school.