THE merger of two Catholic primary schools in Breightmet is set to press ahead after councillors approved the plans.

Formal proceedings to discontinue St Andrew's RC Primary School and St Osmund's RC Primary School will now swing into action.

Bolton Council's executive has ordered statutory proposals to be published with effect from August 31.

The executive has voted in favour of amalgamating the two schools into one voluntary aided RC primary school on the site of St Osmund's in Blenheim Road. About £2 million worth of work will need to be carried out.

Education department assistant director of policy and resources Chris Swift said: "A lot of St Andrew's pupils already live close to the St Osmund's site so it would not cause major problems for most of them if the merger takes place."

There is now two months in which the public can put forward any objection to the plans.

The planned merger is a response to a declining birth rate which is expected to continue to fall. Governing bodies at both schools support the proposal to amalgamate.

The new school would have 350 places, with an admissions capacity of 50 places. There will be 12 teaching staff, one member less than the current number between the two schools.

There would be a nursery class with a capacity of 26 full time places and St Osmund's Playgroup would continue on the site.

If it all goes to plan the merger would be on a split site basis from September 2003 with transfer to a single site in September 2004.

A council officers' report to the executive says there will inevitably be a period of disruption while building work is undertaken at St Osmund's but this would be balanced by the fact that a substantial investment is being made in the building for the future to provide better facilities.

An initial consultation process has already taken place which involved parents, governors, trade unions, and all schools within a two mile radius.