DOZENS of protesters gathered outside Bournemouth Town Hall on Tuesday night to demand a second chance for a primary school after council officers recommended its closure.

The move on Townsend School follows the placing of the school in "special measures" by the government's education watchdog, Ofsted, in 2005.

Supporters of the school packed the council chamber as a meeting was held to consider four options for its future.

But the meeting was adjourned when it emerged that more than half of the members of the Investing in People overview panel had not been sent a crucial document by the council.

The chairman of the school's governors, Andrew Rickett, said that improvements over the last four months had earned the school another chance.

"We have 92 per cent of our children achieving Level Four at Key Stage Two in writing.

"Exclusions have dropped to zero.

"Does this sound like a failing school?" he asked.

Ralph Weeks, a teacher at the school for 14 years and now a governor, said: "Townsend School is starting to show its age and is barely fit for purpose.

"A Private Finance Initiative could be explored with Castlepoint, private developers, whoever," he said.

"We were told as a board that a creative and radical solution was required.

"Closure is harsh but neither creative nor radical.

"There is a real fund of commitment, knowledge and expertise available," he added.

Hugh Waller, who represents the Diocese of Winchester on the panel, told the meeting he would vote against federation, as he had not received documents outlining its pros and cons.

Council officer Lindsay Mertens told the Daily Echo the information had not been deliberately withheld and had been available in public libraries.

The meeting will re-commence on Tuesday, November 20 at 6pm.