EDUCATION chiefs last night dealt a blow to communities by announcing that up to 23 schools faced closure.

The closures, together with dozens more school mergers, were identified in a report mapping out the future for more than 300 schools in County Durham for the next ten to 15 years.

Durham County Council said the report was not a "hit list" but a "blueprint for excellence", and there would be extensive consultation.

But critics warned the shake-up, aimed at tackling falling pupil numbers, could tear some communities apart and would cause huge controversy.

County Durham has 11,908 unfilled places in its primary and secondary schools, and the reorganisation could save the education authority almost £600,000 a year.

In all, 23 schools have been listed for closure, including 21 primary schools and two secondary schools - Sunnydale in Shildon, and Fyndoune Community College, Sacriston.

A further 94 schools are being considered for merger because they contain a significant number of surplus places, have too few pupils, or are in poor repair.

Last night, independent county councillor John Shuttleworth said: "There will need to be some very close consultation, and I just hope the decision has not already been made. Many of the schools affected have had a lot of money spent on them, and you have to ask whether it would make economic sense for them to close."

Elaine Kay, of the National Union of Teachers, said: "When you have so many closures, it is an alarming situation which can lead to instability, stress and anxiety within the workforce, particularly at a time when there is this awful mess with education funding and teachers are already losing their jobs.

"We would also have a concern about children having to travel further, and rising classes in those schools that do stay open."

Councillor Nigel Martin, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Durham County Council, said: "There are some very hard decisions to be made which are going to cause a lot of controversy and worry."

The council has identified that up to £300m needs to be spent on building new schools and adapting existing ones because of falling pupil numbers.

Last week it unveiled plans to secure Private Finance Initiative (PFI) money from the Government.

Education director Keith Mitchell said: "All this document does is to look at what problems are likely to arise in our schools over the longer term, and identify them earlier than might have been the case."

The report measures the physical condition of schools, the number of surplus places, and whether the accommodation is appropriate. It will be circulated to schools and a two-month consultation process will take place before detailed plans are published.

Down for closure on council list

Primary schools: Aycliffe Village; Beamish; Browney, Meadowfield; Burnhope; Cassop; Dean Bank, Ferryhill; Dene Valley, Bishop Auckland; Eldon Lane; Haswell; King Street, Spennymoor; Kirk Merrington; Newton Hall Infant, Durham; Peases West, Chester-le-Street; Plawsworth Road Infant, Chester-le-Street; Rosa Street, Spennymoor; St Oswald's Infant, Durham City; Sherburn Hill; Stanley (Crook); Wearhead; West Pelton; Witton Gilbert.

Secondary schools: Sunnydale School, Shildon; Fyndoune Community College, Sacriston.