EDUCATION chiefs in Darlington yesterday revealed plans to close two schools and reduce the size of a third because of falling pupil numbers.

Rise Carr Primary School, in Eldon Street, will shut in summer if the proposals are approved unanimously by the independent School Organisation Committee.

Albert Hill Nursery School, in Prescott Street, will close and amalgamate with Gurney Pease Primary School, in Dodsworth Street.

Darlington Borough Council also wants to demolish part of Corporation Road Primary School to reduce its size.

Director of education Geoff Pennington told The Northern Echo that places at nearby schools would be found for most Rise Carr pupils.

The likelihood is that they will move to North Road primary or Harrowgate Hill primary, which is opening a £5.5m building in September.

But as many as 20 may have to attend a school which is not the next nearest to them.

Teachers from the schools identified for closure could be facing redundancy, although the authority has pledged to find jobs within the borough for as many as possible.

Mr Pennington said the closures were the best solution for tackling the problem of surplus school places.

"I think parents will be concerned because they are entering a period of uncertainty and any uncertainty as far as children is concerned is to be avoided," he said.

"What we would want to do is win parents' support for the proposals. I think they will see that there's a lot of sense in what we are proposing.

"With Rise Carr, its numbers are falling and it is the smallest of the schools within the North Road area.

"It's the one where there has been the biggest impact and where we project the biggest fall in pupil numbers."

Rise Carr headteacher Tony Kemp said: "We are aware of the proposals and we are looking into it."

The council's cabinet is expected to approve the plans next Tuesday, after which consultation will begin.