PARENTS of Springside school pupils have taken their fight against closure to the nation.

BBC One"s Politics Today show broadcast a segment on the Save Springside School committees"s campaign to prevent the closure of the village"s school on Sunday.

On Saturday the group held a special petition signing for all the village"s children, who turned up in droves along with their parents to leave signatures and painted hand-prints.

The petition will be marched through Irvine town centre on Friday 13 February to Council Headquarters and the youngsters will read out a poem printed last year by the Times.

David Clark, of the group, said: 'There was a fantastic turn out at the event on Saturday and the kids really enjoyed it.

'The BBC coverage was absoutely fantastic and we would all like to thank the people who turned up on the day.' Maureen Hulbert added: 'Everyone in the village is really united and buzzing.' Mr Clark told the Times how angry the people of Springside were with the consultation process, with no contact from the council since it started.

He said: 'We have received no contact apart from Carol Kirk asking to meet with us on March 5. That is one week before the end of the consulation and is far to late.' Mrs Hulbert said: 'A consultation should be about speaking to one another and asking questions, but the council have not even had the decency to speak to us.' A public meeting will be held tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm in Springside Community Centre, while the children and parents will march on Cunninghame House from the bandstand in Irvine"s Bridgegate at 10am on Wednesday 13 February.

Mr Clark said: 'We want to see as many people as possible who care about the planned closure of the schools take part in the march.' The group also has a website set up at www.freewebs.com/savespringside.