Around 300 parents, students, teachers, councillors and supporters marched through Trowbridge on Saturday morning in a plea to save Wiltshire's special schools.

Protesters marched from Larkrise School to County Hall to show their support in keeping both Larkrise and St Nicholas in Chippenham local after Wiltshire Council proposed that both schools are to be shut and a new £20 million super school will be built in Rowde for current and future pupils.

The march was put on by parents of children who currently attend Larkrise, and it follows the news that over £10,000 was raised to cover legal fees in their bid to save the special schools.

Teresa Lily, from Trowbridge whose son Lewis attends Larkrise has been one of the main campaigners and helped arranged the march.

She said: “Seeing the amount of people who turned up really does restore your faith in humanity and reassures you that we are doing the right and people are behind us.

“I think my son Lewis has found it a little overwhelming but it is just great to see.

“I am so pleased with how it went, it was amazing to hear drivers beeping their horns in support. I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part. We are the people and the council should listen to us.”

Kate Ryles from Trowbridge who showed her support at the march said: “Myself and my son Morgan are here to support Teresa and her son Lewis as our boys get on so well together and have regular play dates.

“We don’t want Lewis to be put out by having to travel to Rowde and it will mean the boys cant have their play dates anymore. Having friends around them is important for children with special needs.”

Debbie Elliott’s son Dan, who is now 24 attended Larkrise and they now live in Bradford on Avon.

She said: “I object to children having to travel extended distances to get to school and parents should be offered much more choice for their children with special educational needs.

“Dan got on so well at Larkrise and he felt very at home there.”

MP for South West Andrew Murrison has been actively supporting the special schools campaign and also attended the march on Saturday morning.

He said: “The number of people from the local community who joined the march was great.

“I have been supporting Larkrise School in their campaign as I think Wiltshire Council has got the wrong solution here.

“I welcome them spending money on special educational needs, but shutting Larkrise is not the solution in my view.”

Lisa Baker said: “I am just so pleased with the amount of people who have turned up today, it is actually quite overwhelming.

“It just shows that people really do support us.”

Wiltshire Council will make a final decision on the proposal at a cabinet meeting on March 26.