MSP CALLS A HALT TO CLOSURE OF COMBINED CADET FORCE AT KNOX ACADEMY

1.18.34pm GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has given his support to the fight to save the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Knox Academy, the only Combined Cadet Force left at a Scottish State Secondary School.

"I was deeply shocked to hear of the plans to close the CCF at Knox Academy which only just celebrated its centenary in 2008", Jim said.

"The CCF offers these cadets opportunities and experiences they might otherwise not be able to access. If the closure goes ahead the school will lose a very special 100 year tradition which has given the school an identity and is a source of immense pride amongst the pupils.

"I have called on the Headmistress, East Lothian Council and the Ministry of Defence to come to a solution that will retain this valuable provision for the young people at Knox Academy.

"It's vital that every effort possible is taken to secure the future of the CCF for the young people at the Academy"