Children from a Cumbrian primary school go to the High Court on Wednesday to seek a judicial review into plans to close their school.

The 19 youngsters at Lowick Primary School in Ulverston are being represented in court after being granted legal aid to try and prevent Cumbria County Council's plans for closure.

Cumbria County Council says the decision has been taken because of surplus school places and falling school numbers.

Unless they win the case, the youngsters will have to travel to lessons at Penny Bridge School, near Greenodd, from the end of the current school year.

Education expert

The pupils will be represented by education lawyer, Jack Rabinowicz, who was involved in the re-grading of A-level examinations for students wanting to go to university.

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

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

Last resort

He said there had been a failure to consult all relevant parties, and that the consultation process went ahead on "the false premise" of surplus places.

Rose Bugler, chair of governors at the school, said legal action was a last resort.

If the court does not intervene, a final decision on the school's future will be taken at a meeting of its organisation committee in January.