COUNCILLORS have agreed with recommendations to merge two schools in Guisborough and another two in Loftus.

Members of Redcar and Cleveland Council children's services scrutiny committee agreed on Wednesday that Park Lane Infants' School and Northgate Junior School, in Guisborough, should be amalgamated into a single primary school, operating from the two sites, from September 2006.

A children's centre would be developed at Park Lane, and community use, including adult learning, would be introduced at Northgate.

A similar arrangement proposed for Harry Dack Infants' School and Loftus Junior School was also supported.

Both proposals will go before the council cabinet on July 12 for a decision.

The merger plans were put on hold in April, after parents complained that the split-site option had not been presented to them.

The council agreed to extend the consultation period and, despite what Kaye Mount, assistant director, resources, described as a "poor response", particularly from parents, it had emerged that this was the preferred option.

Coun Bill Clarke, who represents Guisborough on the borough council, told Wednesday's meeting: "Both schools are very highly thought of and had very good reports from Ofsted.

"This is something that has been forced upon us, but I think a split-site option is the best of a bad lot."

Mrs Mount said if the merger went ahead on two sites, it would be monitored closely over the next few years.

She said: "It may well be that the amalgamated school does have to be housed on the Northgate site in the future. But the option recommended does allow flexibility and would have to be reviewed in the not too distant future."

Guisborough councillor Graham Jeffery said he believed the split site option would not be in the educational interests of the children involved.

But this was countered by the scrutiny committee chairman, Coun Mary Ovens, who said: "I agree it is not the ideal solution, but given the views of the people involved, the financial issues and the possibility of increased pupil numbers in the next few years, it is good that we are keeping our options open."

Mrs Mount said the proposed amalgamation of Harry Dack Infants' and Loftus Junior schools was less controversial, as the schools were smaller and closer together, geographically.

She said by retaining both sites and removing mobile classrooms, car parking problems could be alleviated.