Sir, – Hurworth School was saved by a great campaign run by local people.

Hurworth School was saved because the governors were able to claim a degree of independence from the local authority Darlington Borough Council. A change in the law will make this process even easier for school governors soon.

The Lib Dem party conference believes, however, that local authorities like Darlington should be able to close schools like Hurworth whenever they like. This has been Lib Dem policy for many years. This week they voted to re affirm the policy.

The Tory policy of free schools enables schools like Hurworth to go on, survive and prosper.

Am I right in thinking the Lib Dem-Tory government has cancelled the rebuilding of Hurworth School? It has been reported the project for the school building replacement has been cancelled. I hear the Government is saying it cannot afford it. I hope it changes its mind.

Whenever I speak to friends from Hurworth, they have had quite enough of party politics.

People in Hurworth seem to want locals to come forward and stand as independents in the next round of council elections to represent their interests on the local Darlington Borough Council. If the people of Hurworth have had enough of party politics who can blame them after all that happened over Hurworth School?

NIGEL BODDY Fife Road, Darlington