PARENTS have accused politicians of being too cowardly to face questions about school closures.

They are angry that no councillors including Garry Perkins, cabinet member for education attended a consultation meeting last night.

Around 300 concerned parents turned up at Westlea Primary School to quiz councillors over plans which could see three local schools axed.

Swindon Council says unless three West Swindon schools close, there will be 800 spare places by 2009.

Other proposals are also being considered, such as reducing places in schools.

The meeting was held as part of the public consultation.

Toothill and Westlea councillors Mary Martin and Steve Wakefield, both Conservatives, were away on work commitments.

Coun Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) had intended to be there, but was caught in traffic delays caused by bad weather.

Fiona Scott, whose five-year-daughter Sammy attends the school, is furious.

"I'm disgusted, not one local councillor turned up, and they didn't even bother to send an apology," said the 38-year-old of Gold View, Rushey Platt.

"They were obviously reluctant to face the anger of parents who don't want a lovely community school like ours to close.

"We have all had a consultation document and this was to be our chance to ask questions.

"The fact is they knew we would be questioning them in a fiery way."

Parents did have the chance to quiz Swindon's assistant director of education Dr Kate Reynolds.

But they have called for another meeting with councillors.

Coun Perkins said he was at a political meeting on the south coast and was caught in traffic .

"I arrived back too late. Unfortunately I do have another life," he said.

"I have been to every other meeting and was at Freshbrook the night before.

"I have spoken to many parents from Westlea, and have not chickened out of anything because what we are doing is positive not negative."

Coun Martin, a senior executive with an IT consultancy, was in London.

She said: "Unfortunately I had a prior arrangement, and I'm not quite sure what sending an apology would have achieved.

"Parents have expressed views to me at earlier meetings and many have written to me. I'm very supportive of all schools in my ward."

Coun Wakefield, a local authority trouble-shooter, was unavailable for comment, but is understood to have been on business in Hull.