PLANS to close three special residential schools have been rejected by a watchdog - although the authorities still plan to press ahead with the closure programme.

Education officials in Stockton want to close Westlands, Bishopsmill and Saltergill schools and create two new schools.

But the plans have met with opposition by parents concerned at their children been regrouped by age rather than their needs.

Earlier in the week, the Stockton Schools Organisation Committee - an independent body made up of local authority, headteacher, school governor and diocese representatives - voted not to accept the proposals.

But despite the objections, council chiefs still plan to ask the Government to sanction the changes.

The schools cater for 200 pupils aged from seven to 16. Stockton Borough Council wants to open a middle school for seven to 14-year-olds on the Westlands site in Thornaby, and an upper school for older students on the Bishopsmill site, at Norton, by January 2002.

The Saltergill site at Kirklevington is expected to be sold.

Parents are concerned that Westlands, which has been given an excellent grading by Ofsted, is being penalised for its success.

Cabinet member for education Councillor Alex Cunningham has said that no change is not an option and if these proposals are rejected new ones will be suggested.

He said: "The LEA proposals offer tremendous opportunities for the development of special needs education and support for children within the borough."

The schools adjudicator, appointed by the secretary of state, has the final say on the changes.