THE granddaughter of Spitfire designer Reginald Mitchell, pictured, is the latest person to join the fight against plans to close Mitchell Business and Enterprise College and replace it with an academy.

The school was named after the great man himself, who used to attend its predecessor school, Hanley High.

In an email sent to its chairman of governors, Pat Smith, and read out at yesterday's meeting, Penny Burns said:

"I am very sorry to hear of the demise of the Mitchell High School, which certainly reflects the signs of the times. I am only so pleased that my father (Gordon Mitchell) is no longer alive to bear witness to this.

"As you may know, he campaigned long and hard to give his father the recognition that he deserved and it is so sad to think this sort of thing is now happening.

"I have spoken to my brothers, who share my disappointment of the council's decision to demolish the school, after all the hard work by my father to name the school after RJ, which he saw as a fitting tribute to him. We would urge the council to reconsider their decision."