IT is obviously in the public interest that people should be alerted that 10 of our 104 primary schools could close because of falling numbers.

While we regret the closure of any school, we appreciate the economics which make it necessary. It is better that money is spent on our children's education rather than maintaining half-empty buildings.

Education chief Cllr Don Eastwood denies that schools have already been earmarked for closure ahead of a consultation exercise and we accept that.

But if, as Cllr John Walsh claims, Labour councillors are talking about the possibility of school closures, then parents should not be kept in the dark about the situation.

As Cllr Walsh points out, parents already know which local schools are very much under-used. They appreciate that it is these schools which are likely to be at risk.

We trust the consultation process will not be overlong and that the Council will publicly announce their decisions on the closures as soon as possible.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.