THE leader of Herefordshire Council is to meet with organisers of the pro-schools rally which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday).

It follows the council's reaffirmation that it will fight pressure to close high schools and primary schools.

The Herefordshire Against Closing Schools (HACS) rally will conclude in High Town and the council's highways and transportation department and the police have agreed a safe route with the organisers.

Leader of the council, councillor Roger Phillips said he wants the council leadership to meet with leaders of the rally to give parents a guarantee that draft proposals to close or merge schools are now off the table.

He also wants to ensure that the protestors' message gets through to the minister for schools, Jim Knight, when he meets him in March to discuss the best way to keep the county's schools open.