CAMPAIGNERS say Bournemouth council should delay any decision to close Townsend until after an Ofsted report is published.

The Daily Echo understands inspectors will praise improving standards at the primary school but a ward councillor believes its closure is "a done deal".

Council chiefs say they want closure because it is providing an inadequate education but the governors believe Ofsted will say this is no longer the case.

Parent Luke Wilson said: "It would be ludicrous to close an improving school. This report could throw a spanner in the works for the council's plans."

Councillors are being urged to vote for closure before they have read the report, despite most respondents to the consultation wanting the school to stay open. The school's governing body, in its response to the consultation, wrote: "Governors expect Ofsted to confirm... that substantial progress is being made, in which case governors feel closure on the grounds of failing to provide an adequate education is no longer justified."

Governors are unable to discuss the inspector's findings until the report is published, after Thursday's meeting.

Jane Portman, executive director for children and families' services, recommends closure at the end of the academic year.

Strouden Park councillor David Shaw said: "I'm angry. We have pressed to delay the meeting until the Ofsted report is out but they just don't want to know. I think it's a done deal."

Bournemouth council's investing in people overview panel will discuss the future of the school tomorrow at 6pm and make a recommendation for cabinet, which meets on April 2.