ANDREW DENHOLM and BRIAN DONNELLY

CAMPAIGNERS trying to keep open scores of closure-threatened rural schools across Scotland yesterday promised to step up their fight after people power saved more than 20 primaries.

Protesters from Midlothian, the Borders, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeenshire and Angus are to redouble their efforts after Moray Council backed down over plans to shut 21 schools.

More than 50 primaries are under imminent threat of closure or are under local authority review.

Parents from the affected areas, who have formed a coalition, will now turn their attention to changing the law to introduce a legal presumption against the closure of rural schools, which has existed in England since 1998.

Campaigners in Midlothian said the decision by Moray had added impetus to their push to save what they describe as the "heart of the community". Five schools are included in the current round of closures in Midlothian, affecting 180 pupils.

Jennifer McDougall, 36, from Cousland, whose five-year-old son, Callan, is about to go to the local primary, said without it the village would "fall silent".

She added: "We have been waiting to see what happens nationally. What has happened in Moray is encouraging. This will allow us to move forward."

She said members of Midlothian Rural School Action Group would lobby politicians afresh, with the Moray decision a key weapon in their armoury.

Ms McDougall added: "We feel the whole thing (here) was handled badly and we have been totally railroaded without having any real chance to have our voices heard. All the protests, the campaigning, and the petitioning were completely ignored and we feel the decision was made long before we got involved."

The Scottish Executive argues it is up to local authorities to decide the most appropriate educational provision in their area. However, campaigners believe only a change in the law will prevent local authorities returning to a closure agenda after each wave of protest has died down.

The problem has arisen because of a falling population. One in three primary schools is only 60% full and one in six secondary schools is operating at two-thirds capacity or less.

The problem is not just of concern in rural areas. Thirty years ago, Glasgow had 110,000 primary pupils, compared with the current figure of 40,000. The city has already closed 25 primaries and built 18 new campuses. A further 20 schools could go in a review of the remaining primaries.

Sandy Longmuir, who has taken a petition to Holyrood to call for the legal change and who campaigns in Angus, said parents from all parts of Scotland would be renewing their efforts to force ministers to change their minds.

"There has to be something better than hard-pressed parents having to fight tooth and nail every time a local council decides to shut a school," he said. "In England, local authorities have to present the case for closure but here, councils can do what they like and it is left to parents to present the case to keep a school open."

Last night, the executive said it had no plans to tighten the regime to regulate school closures, stating it was a matter for local authorities. A spokes-woman said: "Obviously, we expect all councils to look at ensuring every child gets the best education but we think they are best placed to decide where schools should be closed or where new ones are built."

The latest round of optimism followed Moray Council's decision on Wednesday to go back on the closure of 21 primaries after an outcry from parents and the threat of legal action, to be bankrolled by Irvine Laidlaw of Rothiemay, the Conservative peer with strong family ties to the area.

Lord Laidlaw became involved after the council included Rothiemay on its closure list. The school, close to where his great-grandfather opened a woollen mill in 1882, had received a glowing report from inspectors.