TODAY is D-Day for one of Hampshire's oldest schools.

An independent education committee will meet to decide the fate of tiny Ampfield Church of England Primary, a 108-year-old school with just 22 pupils.

It is the final opportunity for campaigners to save the historic rural school, which has seen four generations of one family educated in its classrooms.

But Hampshire County Council, which first lined up Ampfield for the axe, will argue that it can no longer afford to subsidise a school where pupil numbers have plummeted in recent years.

County education boss Councillor Don Allen ruled in October last year that the Ampfield school should close as part of a shake-up of Romsey schools.

Because of its size, it costs more than £9,800 to educate an Ampfield pupil - compared to just over £2,000 for children at nearby Halterworth, said Cllr Allen.

And with just seven Ampfield pupils living within the school's catchment area, the expense could not be justified.

But a school closure notice prompted more than 30 objections, meaning the controversial scheme has to be considered by another panel.

Parents argued that:

closure would restrict their choice of schools

there were no available places in nearby Church of England schools

new developments at Abbotswood would mean a a growth in demand for school places in future

the school was a vital part of the community.

Five supporters are due to speak in favour of Ampfield at today's crunch meeting.

Chairman of the Save our School campaign, Charlie Allen, told the Daily Echo: "This really is such a crucial meeting.

All our campaign efforts culminate today.

"While the case will go to an independent adjudicator if the vote goes against us, we would all obviously be thrilled to avoid this route. The local education authority would be spared the cost of this and our children would be spared the cost of the huge disruption.

"Free from the threat of closure, our numbers will recover."