HIGH schools in Ramsbottom and Tottington will not close in a review of pupil places in secondary education, it has been revealed.

The borough's chief education officer Harold Williams promised that Woodhey and Tottington High would not be earmarked for closure, although he did hint that one high school in the borough would probably have to go as pupil numbers decreased over the next ten years.

Forecasts show the number of pupils at secondary schools will fall from 11,955 this year to 10,196 by 2013.

Mr Williams, speaking at last week's meeting of the Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board, said: "In the short term, 600 surplus places would be addressed by the amalgamation of Coney Green and Radcliffe High School.

"But in ten years there will be enough surplus places to fill a high school."

A similar review last year of primary school places resulted in the closure of St Paul's CE Primary School, Ramsbottom, and Affetside Primary, causing much resentment in the area.

But Mr Williams said: "Woodhey High School and Tottington High School will definitely not close. They are both very popular schools."