CONTRACTS for the sale of Littlefield School in Liphook to Churcher's College in Petersfield are expected to be exchanged within the next week.

It brings to a end an unsuccessful, bitter, and desperate fight by a consortium of parents of children at the private Liphook School to save it, after their counter bid was rejected earlier this year.

With the legal finalities in place, completion of the sale is scheduled this summer.

A statement from the bursar of Churcher's College, David Robbins, said: "Following completion, a refurbishment scheme is planned for the site covering the buildings and grounds to enable occupation by Churcher's Junior School from January, 2004, following a move from the existing site in Petersfield."

The uncertainty over the future of Littlefield began in January when rumours spread throughout the school, which was facing increasing debts and a dwindling school roll, that it could face a takeover bid from Churcher's. Churcher's needed a new home for its junior school, based at Morton House, Petersfield, after years of failing to come up with an acceptable alternative site

By March, it was clear that a counter bid by parents, who put up £1.5 million to buy the £1,700-a-term private school, had failed. The news came amid claims and counter claims over the lack of consultation with parents over the closure.

This week, Peter Lilley, a member of the consortium, said: "It has been difficult and there have been lots of tears but many parents have moved on and most have been able to put this behind them."

"At the moment there are 11 staff remaining and all have found other jobs with the exception of the head, John Preston, who is looking at a number of options."

Parents had found their children alternative places at local private schools, including several who would be taking up places at Churcher's after the summer break.

Redundancy packages still had to be agreed with teachers and Mr Lilley said a meeting was scheduled to take place with the directors of Littlefield on Monday.

"In hindsight, there may have been a better way to deal with the matter, but I wish them good luck," said a philosophical Mr Lilley.