PARENTS from a small rural Ceredigion school threatened with closure have stepped up their efforts to save it by launching a fund-raising campaign.

Beulah Primary School could be shut as part of a review being carried out by Ceredigion County Council.

But parents are convinced they can make a viable argument for keeping open the school, which last year celebrated its 100th anniversary and plays a vital role at the heart of the village community.

A project booklet outlining the school’s survival bid is going out to local companies this week and a business plan has been drawn up which is to be presented to Ceredigion Council.

A spokesman for the group said: “We have actively started our fundraising campaign over the last two weeks and have raised £540 in private donations to date.

“We have also been at Beulah car boot over the weekend where we have been

overwhelmed by the support from local residents, people from all over

the UK and Europe.

“The car boots raised in excess of £200, 60-plus signatures for our petition, donations of items we can sell from other stall holders at the car boot and one child pledged to the school.”

Further fundraising activities are being arranged and campaigners plan to be at Beulah car boot sale most weekends for the rest of the summer.

Neighbouring Trewen Primary School is also fighting to stay open. A report to the county council’s learning communities overview and scrutiny committee said that closing the two schools would save around £155,000.