COUNCILLORS have voted to close a rural County Durham primary school by the end of the year.

The future of Startforth Morritt Primary School, in Startforth, near Barnard Castle, was decided at a meeting on Wednesday.

Durham County Council’s cabinet voted to close the school, which has around 25 pupils, on December 31. The council says falling pupil numbers and its “requires improvement” rating by Ofsted is of “significant concern.”

Councillor Ossie Johnson said: “In considering closing a school it’s always an emotive issue, especially for the local community.

“What we have got to have as our overriding principle is the quality of education provision the young people who are affected. The education standard and future sustainability of the school all affect the quality of provision in that school.

“I have no alternative but to propose the recommendation for closure.”