MANAGEMENT of a West Devon primary school has been handed over to a county-run committee, after the bulk of the school?s governors resigned.

A spokesman for Devon County Council this week confirmed that the majority of governors at Horrabridge Primary School had handed in their resignation.

The spokesman said: ?We have moved swiftly to appoint an interim management committee, which will be responsible for the governance of the school in the short term.

?The committee is made up of specialists from the Local Education Authority and experienced governors from other schools.

?They will be working closely with the headteacher to address some of the funding issues which the school is facing.?

The spokesman said difficulties at Horrabridge had largely been caused by a reduction in pupil numbers, which reflected the decline in birthrate being experienced across Devon and the withdrawal of a number of families from MOD homes in the village.

?We are writing to parents to ensure they have a full explanation of the situation,? said the spokesman.

Martin Iddon, headteacher at Horrabridge, declined to comment on the situation.