PENCOMBE CE headteacher Chloe Evans sounded a note of cautious relief at the recall of Herefordshire Council's controversial schools review.

"We are obviously very pleased that it has been withdrawn, although this certainly doesn't mean that it is everything over," she said. "It gives us the opportunity to contribute more to the proposals, and to question the origin of the data and statistics, and hopefully be more convinced about any subsequent proposals."

Mrs Evans, who has been in charge at the school for 16 years, spoke passionately during a pubic meeting attended by more than 220 people, including parents, staff and former pupils.

She believes the council was forced to re-act to the strength of feeling shown across the county.

"I'm not really surprised at how quickly this was withdrawn, given all the strength of reaction from parents and my colleagues in the Bromyard area alone," she said. "I think it came as a huge shock to them that people were willing to fight for their jobs and their schools."