PARENTS who have staged a vigil in St Gregory�s and Wyndford primaries in Maryhill were �devastated� to hear of the decision.

PARENTS who have staged a vigil in St Gregory's and Wyndford primaries in Maryhill were "devastated" to hear of the decision.

Tracey Wilson, 34, said: "I'm absolutely shocked. I have always voted Labour and I feel let down.

"I honestly thought there would be more saved. I thought they would take into consideration the people of Glasgow.

"We have protested and they have not listened. I'm devastated."

Grandmother Ruby Grant, 56, said: "I can't get my head round it. I can't believe they can make a decision before the official dates they've given everybody ... there was supposed to be the executive meeting on Friday with the full council meeting next week.

"The feeling up until now has been high but now I just don't know."

The protesters - who moved in to both school gyms 12 days ago as the Easter holidays started - dismissed Steven Purcell's pledge to create a childcare and family centre at the existing Wyndford Nursery.

Ruby said: "If they are taking these schools down, what is the point of having a childcare and family centre in the middle of the community?

However, the protesters - who say they don't know when their sit-in will end - say they don't regret what they've done.

Tracey added: "It's brought the community of Wyndford closer together. We can hold our heads up high when we come out of here."

But parents at one of the nurseries which has been spared from closure, Shawbridge, in Pollokshaws, were relieved.

The council's proposals outlined plans to transfer to nearby Pollokshaws Day Nursery, which is graded two bands lower in official condition ratings.

Mhairi Young, 34, whose daughter Carly goes to the nursery, said: "It will make a big difference and save a lot of hassle.

"I have been positive all along it would be kept because when the proposals were brought out the reasons they were giving were basically not very strong.

"But it's a shame for the other schools and nurseries."

Catherine Mitchell has pledged to continue her fight to save St Gilbert's Primary in Germiston where son Elliott, 10, is a pupil. He'll now attend St Philomena's.

She said: "The move should have been rejected on health and safety grounds."

Parents involved in the sit-in say they have not decided what they will do now.

They have always maintained they don't want to disrupt their children's education but with the pupils due back on Monday after the holidays the council said it needs access to the schools ahead of that.

One mum involved in the sit-in, Nicola Rathmill, 35, said: "They said last week the kids will be sent to another school if we are still here but we can't let that happen.

"We will need to take a vote on it."

However, she added: "We will need to be forced out."

Political reaction was swift.

SNP MSP Bob Doris, who has pledged support to Wyndford and St Gregory's parents, called the news a "setback" but urged Labour councillors to be given a free vote to throw out the proposals at the full council meeting next Thursday, where the decision is due to be rubber stamped.

He said: "It's absolutely devastating news for the parents. It's a real slap in the face for their efforts. I will now be urging the councillors to vote to save the schools on April 23 ... and vote with their heads and hearts and not according to instructions from Steven Purcell.

"Time is running out for the Labour Party in Glasgow if these proposals do go through."