A REPORT predicts there will be 1,400 surplus places in Darlington's primary schools within eight years.

That is equivalent to three medium-sized schools and raises serious questions about the future of primary education in the town.

The report recommends a ten-year strategy to tackle the problem, including preparing criteria to help select schools for closure as a last resort.

The report was put together by a strategic review group, involving councillors and co-opted members chosen by Darlington Borough Council's life-long learning scrutiny committee.

The views of teachers, governors, parents and the wider community were sought.

The report says school budgets are linked to pupil numbers, which means surplus places are a drain on funds and could lead to staff losses.

This is already evident in some schools, with 800 surplus places across the town.

The report states that schools in northern and eastern areas of the town are worst affected, with primary schools in the West End remaining popular.

The council is already tackling the issue by reducing admission numbers at schools it is rebuilding, including Skerne Park Primary School.

The review group suggests less popular schools should rebrand, better promote themselves and collaborate with other schools to share good practice.

North Road, Reid Street, Corporation Road and Rise Carr primary schools are mentioned in the report because they do not have playing fields and are less likely to be open to the community unless they are rebuilt.

The review group also recommends infant and junior schools are amalgamated to create primary schools, and that admission limits are adjusted to restrict schools that pull pupils away from less popular ones.

It also recommends that secondary education should be subjected to a similar review in light of the knock-on effect of surplus places at primary schools.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, lead member of the review group, said: "We are hoping to bring the human side of this debate to the fore, to let the decision-makers see what their decisions mean to ordinary people and make sure it isn't just a financial decision."

The report will go to the life-long learning scrutiny committee on Monday.

If it is endorsed, it will go to the council's cabinet with the director of education's comments, and help form policy on primary education.