Angry St Bees residents have launched a campaign to save school land which they fear could be threatened with housing development.

Around 40 villagers have joined the campaign so far, says resident Donald Brownrigg, amid worries that St Bees School trustees will sell land to raise cash to run the soon-to-open school.

It closed in June 2015, due to falling pupil numbers. Work has been carried out since then to reopen it.

The trustees have previously revealed that an action plan has been drawn up to help cover costs. This includes working with authorities to develop “several small parcels of land” in the village, which if successful, is likely to result in the sale of a number of “minor housing development plots”.

It is unclear where the earmarked land is, but the trustees have previously revealed it is also hoping to start the process of the development of land to the west of Abbey Road.

However, trustee Tom Kelly said this week that although funds are needed to enable the school to re-open and that “all options are open”, there are no definite plans. “If anything is moving forward we will let people know but at the moment nothing is moving forward,” he said.

Mr Brownrigg said the campaign was launched two weeks ago and some villagers have erected signs saying ‘no to potential housing developments’.

His main concern is that Abbey farmland could be sold off.

“We hope to form a committee as there has been such a great response from people who don’t want any more residential properties in St Bees,” he said.

Concerns about potential land sales have been put to trustee Mr Kelly. He said: “We are looking at all options in terms of raising funds to support the school. That includes soft options like donations and trying to set up collections but it is also looking at the assets that the school owns.

“We are being absolutely clear that all options are on the table. We have a duty of care to keep the school going, that’s our job.”

The trustees are working in partnership with Full Circle Group to bring education back to the village next September.

A substantial amount of money is needed for refurbishment costs.

Mark George, chair of the trustees, previously said the school trust owns land which is “not required for educational purposes” and will continue to ensure the school estate generates money for the trust where necessary, in order to feed into the school opening project.