Pupils in Cumbria have begun a legal challenge against plans to close their school.

County education officials want to close Lowick School, near Ulverston and merge it with nearby Penny Bridge School in a bid to tackle surplus places.

The school's teachers and 19 students want a judicial review into the way the authority has handled the closure process.

Top education lawyer, Jack Rabinowicz, who is representing students involved in the recent A-level regrading scandal, has agreed to handle the case.

Lawyer Jack Rabinowicz is backing the pupils

Rose Bugler, chair of governors at the school, says legal action is a last resort.

She said: "We have given the county council a chance to respond to our concerns and they have not done so to our satisfaction.

"We have 19 children and two members of staff. Our numbers do fluctuate like any other rural school, but we are within our normal range.

"We are very lucky to have Jack Rabinowicz on our team.

"We made contact with him through a former pupil who is in the legal profession."

Legal challenge

Mr Rabinowicz is a partner of a London firm of lawyers and has established a reputation as the UK's foremost authority on education law, acting mainly for children.

He is a director of the Disability Law Service and chairman of the Education Law Association.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said it was aware of the legal challenge by pupils.

Tim Collins, Westmorland and Lonsdale's conservative MP, said: "I support the school in its efforts to remain open.

"We need to keep schools like this open not just for the pupils and staff but for all the things it does in the area."