Parents fighting the planned closure of two Glasgow schools have barricaded themselves inside the buildings in protest.

SARAH SWAIN

Parents fighting the planned closure of two schools have barricaded themselves inside the buildings in protest.

Police were called after 20 parents and supporters got access to the gym halls at Wyndford and St Gregory's primaries in Maryhill, Glasgow, and chained the doors shut.

One grandmother even joined the protesters, who pledged they would stay "as long as it takes" to show their feelings over the closures.

Those inside said they were equipped with sleeping mats, food and drink, and even a DVD player and radio for entertainment in the event of a lengthy sit-in.

Both schools face closure as part of Glasgow City Council's controversial plans to shut 25 primaries and nurseries across the city. The council claims the move is essential to tackle crumbling buildings and falling school rolls.

One of the 11 protesters inside St Gregory's, Tracey Wilson, 34 has a daughter, Carla McMahon, 6, at the school. She said: "We are in the gym hall and the doors are chained closed. The police are milling around outside the doors. They are going to close the school so it's a vigil to prove we want to keep the schools in the community.

"They are the heart of our community. If they take the schools away it will just kill it. I'm a former pupil and this school means a lot to us."

One of nine protesters inside Wyndford's school gym, Donna McKenzie, 37, said: "We feel the consultation has been a sham. This is our last chance to save our school."

Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris said: "These parents feel they have been driven to action to protect their community. I know several of the parents well and they want what is best for their children. Parents will not have taken the decision to occupy both schools lightly."

Under the council's plans children from St Gregory's will be moved to St Mary's Primary, also in Maryhill, while Wyndford Primary pupils will go to Parkview in Summerston.

Parents are worried about the distance their children will have to walk to their new schools and say they are concerned about their safety.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police confirmed they were called to the schools just after 3pm.

A council spokeswoman said: "Parents made their way into the schools at around 2.30pm when they were closing for the Easter holidays after claiming they were helping with a balloon launch.

"The police are on the premises but we are hopeful this will be a peaceful demonstration. A member of the education directorate has gone to speak to the protesters.

"We held a six-week consultation exercise on our school estate strategy, which included 46 public meetings, and we received more than 8000 formal responses.

"These are currently being collated and councillors will receive a comprehensive report for them to make informed decisions on all the proposals at a meeting of the council on April 23."