THE leader of Darlington's Conservative Group is calling on the council to "come clean" about the future of the town's schools.

Councillor Tony Richmond was voicing his concerns about the potential closure of one of the town's secondary schools at a full council meeting, held at the town hall.

He said the decreasing number of young people of secondary school age had been an issue for some time as it would lead to surplus places within the secondary schools and could force one to close within the next ten to 15 years.

"When is the council going to come clean about the future of our secondary schools?

"It is important for parents, pupils and teachers to know what is being decided.

"With money being invested in Hummersknott Language College and the Haughton Education Village taking shape, it would appear two schools are secure.

"However, this is leading to rumours about other schools that could be facing the axe."

The future of Hummersknott, Darlington's largest secondary school, with 1,233 pupils, looks assured if its bid for funding to the Department for Education and Skills is successful.

An investment from the Government of £12m and a further £3m from the local education authority to improve the building in Edinburgh Drive means it would be highly unlikely to shut.

Haughton Comprehensive, however, is being axed in its current form as it is part of the £33m Haughton Education Village, which opens in November.

Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member with responsibility for children's services, tried to reassure people by saying no decision had been made.

He said: "We do not have plans to close a secondary school and consultations with parents and teachers would take place before any decision of that kind was made."