PARENT power has saved a North Yorkshire school from having to close its doors at lunch times.

Dinner hours for youngsters at Alne Primary School, near Easingwold, will continue after parents stepped in to cover the shifts of dinner ladies.

Last month, the Evening Press reported that the school might have to shut during the lunch hour because there were not enough dinner ladies to supervise youngsters.

Three mid-day supervisory assistants are needed to take care of Alne's 120 pupils.

Ann Leyburn, chair of governors, said: "The parents have been absolutely magnificent.

"They said they would organise a voluntary rota. The effect of this is that we have got the shifts covered until the end of this term.

"Every parent has agreed to do a session and it is all going very well."

Mrs Leyburn said the positions still needed to be filled as the arrangements would only be in force until September.

The rate for the job is £4.95 per hour per day.

Updated: 11:38 Friday, April 19, 2002