LEADER of Westhoughton's Liberal Democrats, David Wilkinson, has backed a Tory councillor's claims that Labour councillors are talking about closing schools - but leaving parents in the dark. As reported in the BEN, 10 Bolton primary schools are under threat as education chiefs look to wipe out thousands of surplus places. Education bosses have admitted that about 10 of the 104 primary schools could close because of falling pupil numbers, but denied that schools had been earmarked for closure ahead of the consultation exercise.

But Cllr Wilkinson claims that just last month at a planning meeting of Westhoughton town council, a Labour councillor revealed that a Westhougton School was set for closure.

And Cllr Wilkinson believes it is most likely to be either Four Gates, Wingates or Washacre.

"What Cllr Walsh is saying, is true," stormed Cllr Wilkinson. "Decisions seem to have been made already. Bolton Council tried to close Wingates about 14 years ago, and they failed. And if they want to go down that road again, I can assure them they will have a fight on their hands.

"They just don't bother to listen to people. It appears there's a lot going on behind a smoke screen."

Bolton currently has 3,700 surplus desks in schools, which will rise to more than 5,000 in 2002.

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