Parents protesting against school closures fear they will fail to save a North Lanarkshire primary.

They have collected more than 1000 signatures on a petition aimed at saving Belvidere Primary School.

And later today they aim to confront education bosses.

Duncan Waddell, chairman of Belvidere Parents Council, is leading the charge to keep the Bellshill primary open.

He said: “We feel that North Lanarkshire Council have made their minds up already, despite the consultation period.

“We can argue every point they make for shutting down our school. Their reasoning seems to be in a guddle.”

Belvidere is one of four North Lanarkshire primaries facing the axe.

Other schools affected are St Matthew’s in Wishaw, St Francis of Assisi in Cumbernauld and Gartsherrie in Coatbridge.

Reports show all four schools have falling rolls and council bosses say the aging buildings are a drain on resources.

But Duncan claims the council has spent £607,000 upgrading Belvidere over the past five years, with half of that spent in the last 18 months.

The 84 pupils at the primary will be relocated to Lawmuir, Mossend and Noble primary schools.

North Lanarkshire Council has involved parents in a six-week consultation. Today is the final day for them to lodge objections to the closure.

Duncan, 43, whose son Ruaridh is in primary five at Belvidere, hopes council bosses will vote to keep the school open.

He says the campaign has the backing of local councillors and MSPs.

The IT consultant said: “We worry that children who have made good friends at the school will be separated, which will impact on their education.”

Murdo Maciver, North Lanarkshire’s head of educational resources, said: “Only 84 children attend Belvidere Primary and there are 133 surplus spaces. Like all councils we have a legal duty to ensure efficient and effective use of our buildings.

“The pupils at the school will benefit educationally because they will attend larger schools which can offer a wider range of educational opportunities.”