Schools' closure threat

More Shropshire schools are facing closure or being merged because of the continuing fall in pupil numbers in the county, according to a new report.

The warning is contained in a document to be discussed by Shropshire County Council next week.

The report warns that the number of children in primary schools run by the authority will drop by more than 9% over the next six years.

It found that the number of surplus places has already grown to nearly 3,500.

There are about 22,000 pupils on the current register.

A council spokesperson said the issue of falling numbers affects many large and medium size schools as well as smaller ones.

A variety of ideas for dealing with the problem are being put to council leaders next week.