CONTROVERSIAL plans to merge two Bolton primary schools have moved a step forward.

Bolton Council chiefs have ordered reports be drawn up into the merger of Chalfont Street and Wolfenden primary schools. The report will be heard by councillors at a special education meeting due to be held next month.

Under the plans, the schools, situated either side of Blackburn Road, Bolton, will merge by September 2003 at a multi-million pound new school.

A site in nearby Hibbert Street has already been earmarked for the proposed new development.

Parents of pupils at the schools, both mainly Asian, have voiced their anger at a series of meetings with headteachers and Bolton Council.

The move is one of three options currently being considered by education chiefs because of substantial surplus places at Wolfenden School.

Parents have been told that education chiefs are considering - replacing Wolfenden only, reducing space and refurbishing Wolfenden and replacing Chalfont or amalgamating both.

The report stated: "Of the three possible ways forward the balance of views was, in terms of cost effectiveness and long term benefit for children and the community as a whole, that the amalgamation of Wolfenden and Chalfont provided the best opportunity for investment in education in the area."

The plan now seems almost certain to go ahead after the latest Education meeting at Bolton Council agreed to prepare a report outlining the merger.

Although no decision has been formally made, the report will go before councillors at a meeting on November 8. Consultation exercises will still continue.

Bolton Council leaders and education chiefs have described the planned project as "a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Leader Cllr Bob Howarth said: "It would give the children a first class learning environment as well as retaining much-needed community facilities."

And Cllr Linda Thomas, Bolton Council's Executive Member for Education, said: "We have had two joint meetings with the two governing bodies. Amalgamating these two good schools will result in a very strong school which will be at the heart of the local community making a difference to everyone's life."

Chalfont Street school currently has 240 pupils with 52 in the nursery. Wolfenden has 203 pupils with 34 full-time and 15 part-time nursery pupils.

It is intended that the planned new school will have a yearly intake of 60 children with a 56-place nursery and extensive community facilities.

Fourgates and Wingates schools in Westhoughton are planned to merge into a new school - The Gates on Manchester Road.

And plans to merge Queen Street School and the Bridgewater Nursery in to one new school on St Germain Street, Farnworth are also underway. CONTROVERSIAL PLANS: Above, Chalfont Street Primary School and below, Wolfenden Primary School j3040-25a h504-23