PLANS to merge two schools look set to move forward today.

Durham County Council is proposing to close Pelton junior and infant schools and open a new primary school, catering for children aged three to 11.

The move is in response to falling numbers at both schools, a trend that is expected to continue during the next few years.

In two months of public consultation, no objections were lodged with the council.

The council plans to build a school with capacity for 390 pupils and a 39-place nursery unit on the site of the existing schools. The new school will include a special needs teaching area, computer suite and out-of-hours club.

Officials say the scheme will give the council savings of about £53,054 a year and a repair bill of £1m over the next ten years will be avoided.

The development will cost more than £2.8m, and the council will ask the Department for Education and Employment for funding.

The executive committee will be recommended to approve closure in principle subject to getting the funding for the school.