PARENTS are gearing up for a major campaign in Addingham to make sure no village children lose out in their bid for Ilkley Grammar places.

The initial shock of being told that their children were being sent to Greenhead High School in Keighley instead of their local highly-rated comprehensive has worn off for ten village families as local politicians get behind the campaign to help them.

A meeting has been called at Addingham Primary School at 7pm today to co-ordinate a combined response. Craven district councillor Adrian Naylor will be at the meeting to offer his help.

He has arranged for parents to get free independent advice to help them with appeals against the education authority decision.

Councillor Naylor is also planning to meet education officials and Addingham Parish Council chairman Gordon Campbell in the near future over the issue.

The unexpected bombshell that for the first time ever, Addingham children were being denied places at Ilkley Grammar, prompted the parish council to issue the following statement: "This decision has been met with unanimous rejection from the school, parents, governors, residents and the parish council alike: the strength of feeling is both universal and extremely strong.

"Social cohesion in the village will be severely damaged if such a travesty were to be allowed to happen.

"Separation of one group of children from their peers at such a vulnerable age would be counter to the ongoing process by which we tried to develop a community in the village of shared values, shared challenges and equal opportunities."

The statement went on to say: "The lack of a robust public transport service between Addingham and Keighley at peak times poses concerns in terms of both the environment and safety of the children affected as well as the difficulties and inconveniences faced by the families.

"Addingham Parish Council is vehemently opposed to the village being split in such a way, and is taking action to overturn the decision, for both the families affected at this time and in future years."

The parish council is also offering help to the affected families in preparing appeals and lobbying Education Bradford - the private company running the district's education system - as well as Bradford Council.

Any parents needing help should contact the clerk of the Parish Council, Chris Knowles on 863484 or by email to (chris@knowsport.co.uk) as soon as possible.

Councillor Naylor said that there were three problems which needed solving. Firstly, there was the issue of the children who have been refused places at Ilkley Grammar this year.

Secondly, there was a need to stop the same issue arising in the near future, and lastly, a long-term solution to the lack of places at Ilkley Grammar.

Parents wanting to contact Coun Naylor for help can get in touch at the meeting today or through Bradford Council.