Hundreds of village schools across Britain are being closed, despite a long-term pledge by the government to maintain education in the countryside. The policy U-turn will affect 30,000 children in up to 300 schools in its first stage, The Observer has learnt. Campaigners warned last night that the 'nightmare scenario' would see more than 1,000 small schools in England and Wales at risk. The closures are taking place despite a promise by education minister Stephen Byers in 1998 that village schools would be protected.

MPs blamed the government's funding formula, which, they said, demonstrated a massive and aggressive switch of money from the shire counties to the inner cities. The plans would mean more children facing far longer journeys to school, many along winding country lanes. 'It will have a devastating effect on communities,' said Philip Dunne, Tory MP for Ludlow, who warned that the countryside would become 'a care home for the elderly'.