A PROPOSED shake-up that could see 23 schools being closed in County Durham has attracted some positive feedback, according to the council's leader.

A £300m plan to re-shape education in the county over the next 20 years has attracted 'great interest' from head teachers, county council leader Ken Manton said this week.

Despite an outcry, particularly among schools on the potential closure list, on Tuesday Coun Manton described the initial response as 'encouraging'. He said: "There has been some negative reaction, but it has certainly not all been doom, gloom and rejection. Many head teachers and schools have recognised the plan as a positive vision for the future and see the potential it offers.

"There has been great interest in grasping this opportunity to replace old buildings with new or modernised facilities, and, at the same time, remove the surplus places that are draining school resources.

"It is important to recognise that there are many possible ways forward, over and above amalgamations, new building and extensive modernisation."

He said smaller schools could operate as 'federations,' while surplus places could be used for other purposes, such as health centres, libraries and community facilities.

Early feedback will be used in preparation for more detailed draft proposals next month, so planning decisions can be made in October.