Parents fighting to save their local primary school have won a major victory after a U-turn by Scottish Liberal Democrat councillors.

East Dunbartonshire Council had put forward proposals to close Bearsden Primary School as part of wider school refurbishment plans.

However, a wave of protest followed the suggestion with 95% of parents objecting to the move and high profile opposition from former pupil Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, who sent two of her children to the school. Originally, it was thought Liberal Democrat councillors would support the proposal, but the party has now decided to oppose it.

It is believed the unpopularity of the party in the country at large, combined with the council's school proposals, was a threat to local LibDem MP Jo Swinson, who has spoken out against the closures.

A statement from the Save Bearsden Primary Campaign said: "The campaign has been informed by Liberal Democrat councillors that the option of merging Bearsden Primary School and Castlehill Primary School has not been supported by Liberal Democrat councillors and has been dropped.

"We look forward to working with all our local councillors to support Bearsden Primary in a refurbishment so it continues to provide fantastic educational and community benefits for generations to come."

Vaughan Moody, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bearsden South, told constituents in a letter: "My colleagues and I have listened to what residents have told us in the consultation, at our surgeries and on the doorstep. The great majority made it very clear that the school should remain where it is."