Islands schools closures on hold

Lochs School was among those earmarked for closure

Plans to shut six junior secondary schools on the Western Isles have been put on hold pending a report into S1-S3 provision on the islands.

The local authority, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, had previously said the schools had to go on financial grounds.

The council has deferred the process and will re-examine the situation through a new study.

However, the decision has cast doubts on proposals to construct five new schools for the isles.