A FINAL decision on controversial plans to close a number of the borough's primary schools including two in Radcliffe will be taken today.

The proposals are set to go before the Schools Organisation Committee (SOC).

Members of the group, which include representatives from the local authority and the church, will rule on local education authority plans to close Affetside Primary School and St Paul's CE Primary in Ramsbottom; merge Fishpool and St Chad's CE Junior in Bury; close either St John's CE or St Mark's CE Primary in Bury; close Radcliffe Infant School and Radcliffe Junior and create a new primary school in the existing buildings.

The proposals have been put forward by the local authority to address falling pupil rolls. The SOC has to agree unanimously to the proposals before they can be passed. If an agreement cannot be reached between the bodies an independent adjudicator will be asked to rule.