MP Marie Rimmer is blaming the Government's funding of education for the closure of independent special needs school Crossley Manor.

Crossley Manor School is an independent special school in Rainhill which educates pupils aged between five and 19 with special educational needs, including autistic spectrum conditions.

This week it was announced that due to a lack of “sufficient numbers of pupils” the school will close at the end of term.

It is understood 11 pupils, aged between six and 16, will then have to find alternative education venues.

The Star has reported parents' accounts of how this will affect their children this week, with readers being "horrified" that nothing can be done to save the Rainhill school.

READ: Boy, 12, with autism and ADHD wanted to donate birthday money to keep his special school from closing

Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston, said: "I am always saddened by the closure of any school, in particular a school that provides the extra educational support needed for children with special needs, that mainstream schools and schools such as Lansbury Bridge can’t provide as shown in your article.

"What this closure demonstrates is the failure of this Tory Government’s funding of education.

"They have failed to give local authorities the resource required to provide every child with the support they need, often outside of main stream schools.

READ: Parents devastated after learning Crossley Manor School is set to close

"I hope that Christopher and all of the children displaced are able to quickly access the alternative provision they require and that they are happy there and receive the education they need.”

A spokesperson for Elysium Healthcare, which run Crossley Manor, added: “It is with great reluctance that we have come to the decision to close Crossley Manor School.

“For the past two years school staff have worked tirelessly to make the school a success and build the roll of pupils.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to attract sufficient pupils. We are now focused on supporting local authorities, families and students to find the best alternative placement before the new school term commences in September.”