South Deal Primary School has places for about 210 pupils

They believe South Deal and Mongeham schools are earmarked for a merger under a schools shake-up in Kent.

The council said the "unacceptable" number of surplus places at primary schools in the county needed to be addressed, starting in the Dover area.

The South Deal Action Committee held a protest march on Saturday.

The county council said "some difficult and serious decisions" had to be made over the 14,000 empty school places in Kent.

Leyland Ridings, cabinet member for education, said: "We must act fast to tackle this. I promise every viewpoint will be heard."

The council's Kent Primary Strategy is due to be discussed by the School Organisation Advisory Board (SOAB) on 19 April.

Safety concerns

George Hannah, a parent/governor at South Deal, said: "I did ask for an outline of what the council is proposing and I was told it's not a public document.

"We understand the council has to address the falling birth rates and spare capacity.

"But we feel there are alternatives that are financially viable and put the children first."

Mr Hannah said there were safety and welfare concerns about more than 140 South Deal pupils having to travel the extra distance to Mongeham.

Parents who walk their children to school are worried about the lack of pavement along some sections of the A258 London Road.

South Deal Primary School is currently operating at two-thirds capacity.