PLANS are afoot to merge two Bridlington primary schools due to falling numbers.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has decided to look at a proposal to merge Hilderthorpe Infant and Junior Schools to create a single primary school.

The number of primary school children in the East Riding is falling, and there are now more than 2,000 fewer pupils of that age at East Riding schools than there were five years ago.

Numbers are expected to continue to fall, which is why the council is looking at all primary schools in the East Riding on an area-by-area basis.

At its meeting on November 27, the council's cabinet agreed to consult on the amalgamation of Hilderthorpe Infant and Junior Schools into a single primary school from September 2009, and a reduction in the overall capacity from 641 places to 420.

There are currently a combined total of 407 pupils on roll.

Meetings will be held with staff and governors at the schools to discuss the proposed amalgamation. Officers from the council were at both schools to answer questions from parents yesterday.

Comments on the proposals have to be sent to the council by February 29. The authority will then consider the outcome of the consultation exercise at a cabinet meeting in March or April.

A copy of the consultation document is available on the council's website at http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/education/pdf/hilderthorpe_consultation.pdf

Copies are also available from Grace Chatterton, school organisation officer.

She can be contacted at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Beverley, HU17 9BA, or by phoning 01482 392120, or emailing grace.chatterton@eastriding.gov.uk