MORE than 100 people attended a protest rally against the proposed closure of Bromyard's Queen Elizabeth Humanities College earlier today (Fri).

Parents, local councillors and former pupils armed with signs and banners formed a picket line at the school gates in opposition to Herefordshire Council's plans to close the school as part of a major education review.

Police were on hand to ensure the demonstration ran safely and smoothly, while passing motorists pledged their own support for the campaign by beeping their horns enthusiastically.

The Bromyard community will be out in force again next Saturday, January 26, for a protest march, starting in the town square at 11am and ending up at St Peter's Church.

Meanwhile Bromyard Town has responded to the proposals by issuing a motion of no confidence in Herefordshire Council leader Roger Phillips, as well as director of children's services Sharon Menghini, and head of commissioning and improvement George Salmon.

"We feel they should resign immediately over this," said chairman Gill Churchill. "How dare they try and close 50 per cent of the schools in Bromyard.

"Herefordshire Council has already done enough to kill off Bromyard, and this would be the last nail in the coffin."

Vicar of Bromyard Graham Sykes said the proposals were a disaster, and showed a complete ignorance of the area's geography, sociology and topography.

"I think from a point of view of personnel management this has been a completely inhumane way to treat our teaching staff," he added. "They have been completely undermined and devalued by this".