EDUCATION officials say that plans to provide nursery places at a primary school would improve services.

Durham County Council wants to close Dean Road Nursery School in Ferryhill, and set up a new nursery at nearby Dean Bank Primary School.

The new unit would form part of a children's centre providing a range of services for youngsters up to the age of 11.

The move is opposed by parents and staff, who say the nursery is doing a good job and should stay open.

County Durham's independent School Organisation Committee will decide next month whether to approve the proposal and whether the primary school can extend its age range.

Sheila Palmerley, schools strategy places manager for the county council, said that while there was a presumption against closing nursery schools unless there was a strong case, the Government's guidance was that services for children should be integrated.

She said: "It must be made clear that this proposal isn't to remove nursery provision in any way, but to relocate it into the primary school."

Inspectors had found serious weaknesses in the running of the nursery school, which had 11 spare places, but this was not the reason for the change.

The committee will consider objections at its meeting on Friday, May 20.