Schools in County Durham will be asked what facilities they would like as education chiefs draw up a £150m wish-list.

A shake-up of education in County Durham is being planned over the next ten to 20 years, costing hundreds of millions of pounds.

The proposals could involve closing 23 schools.

The first leg of the education overhaul will involve consultation with secondary schools in east Durham and Sedgefield, to hear what facilities they think they need.

Their views will influence a Durham County Council bid for £150m of Government funding.

All 36 secondary schools and surrounding communities in the county will be consulted about the plans.

The aim of the shake-up is to create multi-purpose learning centres, which provide community facilities.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for education, said: "We hope the outcome will be a new generation of schools, unlike anything which currently exists.

"We could have a network of multi-purpose learning centres each with a specialism and with teaching at its core, but with a wide range of other community and out-of-hours uses.

"Their facilities could be shared between neighbouring schools and their sites could be used for the location of other services, such as council one-stop-shops, cultural facilities like libraries, learning centres and even cyber cafes and offices."

The council's cabinet will meet over the next few days to draw up a priority list of schools for inclusion in its first round bid, which will include seven schools in east Durham and Sedgefield; Dene Community School of Technology, Shotton Hall School and St Bede's RC Comprehensive, all in Peterlee, Seaham School of Technology, Easington Community School, Wellfield Community School in Wingate and Sedgefield Community College.

Education chiefs will arrange consultative meetings next month with school governors, parents and local community representatives.

Headteacher of Shotton Hall School, Ian Mowbray, said: "Any improvements in terms of building would be greatly appreciated."

Anyone living near the seven priority schools can express their views by visiting the county council's website; www.durham.gov.uk

The council will focus on other clusters of schools when the Government sets deadlines for the next round of bids