PLANS to amalgamate an infant and primary school have moved a step closer.

At a meeting of Middlesbrough Council's education cabinet on Tuesday, councillors agreed to progress plans for Ayresome infant and junior schools to the next phase.

Now, a series of consultations will take place and, if no objections are received, the amalgamation will go ahead.

An independent school organisation committee will oversee the whole process.

The plan could pave the way for similar amalgamations of Middlesbrough's three other pairs of infant and junior schools, at Beechwood, Linthorpe and Whinney Banks.

It is thought that creating primary schools will be cost-effective, reduce surplus places and attract funding from outside the authority.

But Margaret Toase, chairwoman of Ayresome infant and junior schools' governors, believes staff are not ready for the change.

"Our problems are unreal," she said. "This is a cost-cutting exercise, but it's going to cost more in the long run because we are already in financial difficulties. I will go down fighting."

Terry Sutcliffe, Middlesbrough Council's education development and performance manager, defended the cabinet's decision.

He said: "It allows all the issues to be addressed at once without causing disruption to Ayresome juniors, which currently does not have a head.

"We are only at the first stage of consultations and we hope to listen to everyone's concerns.