STAFF at a school threatened with closure have stepped up the pressure on their bosses.

Protestors handed over a 1,000 signature petition to Greenwich Council in a bid to stop the Meridian Music Centre shutting down.

The centre, based at East Greenwich Library is set to be closed by Greenwich Community College at the end of this term.

College principal Geoff Pine said he had no choice after government funding to the college was cut.

Teacher Marc Bell, who has received written warnings from school chiefs over contacting the media, said: “The centre is the only educational establishment of its kind is south east London, the centre of the community and has a high success rate in the music industry.”