Little Hulton Community High School could face closure within the next two years.

The school, which has had tens of millions of pounds invested into it during the last few years, is one of two in the city which faces the axe.

A secondary schools review report suggests that the school site on Longshaw Drive, in the centre of Little Hulton, close.

The recommendation is that it then merges with Joseph Eastham High School on its Hilton Lane site, in Little Hulton.

The shock proposals were revealed yesterday as part of the latest step in a formal process of reviewing high schools across the city.

Windsor High School, Churchill Way, Salford, is the only other secondary school earmarked for closure.

Options initially highlighted in June this year suggested that Little Hulton and Joseph Eastham schools merged on either site. Public meetings have been held and consultation documents drawn up.

But despite campaigning to maintain the site, the review still suggests that Little Hulton Community School, which has just short of 500 pupils, should shut.

Parents are now being invited to have their say on the proposals before a final decision is taken in December.

Walkden High School was considered in the review but it is recommended that its pupil intake remains the same.

Reacting to the news, Mrs Gillian Wardle, headteacher at Little Hulton Community School, said: "We are obviously disappointed that the amalgamation will not be on our site especially with all the improvements to the learning environment which have taken place, not only through external funding, but the school budget.

"The school review board has looked at all the options and if they think this is the way forward we will support it. We are working very closely with Joseph Eastham School, as we always have. I think we knew there would be some change to our status .

"It is going to be difficult but it is business as usual and we are remaining positive. It is likely we will be operating as a split site for about two years."

Education lead member, Cllr Roger Jones, said: "The changes we are proposing are in the interests of all the children of Salford.

"One of the central points in the authority's recent Ofsted report was that we have too many secondary school places. Every one of those vacant places is costing us money that could be spent on the rest of the service.

"We know we have to look at how many places we provide and agree a way forward. This report is intended to help us do that."

Director of Education, Mark Carriline, added: "These changes will reduce surplus school places in Salford by between seven to 10 per cent, and take us a long way towards the target we have been set. We will try and reduce the impact of these changes on parents and pupils by improving transport for children travelling to school and offering one-off uniform grants to those changing schools."

Little Hulton Community School has benefited from a multi-million pound investment within the past four years. Refurbishments include a new computer suite and the development of a sports centre, designed for both community and the school. There has also been a new £2million maths, science and art block built for pupils.

The sports centre was opened by the then Mayoress of Salford, Mrs Jean Pennington, also a former teacher at the school just months ago, and a new reception at the side of the school with car parking is home to a new community one stop shop facility.

However, the report does highlight councillors' commitment, in principle, to maintain the education and community provision provided at the school.