THREE Rossendale primary schools threatened with closure are set to be saved from the axe.

Bacup Nursery School, Bacup Thorn and Sharneyford primary schools are to stay open under new proposals following a review by Lancashire County Council.

Cloughfold and Waterfoot primary schools are to merge in a new building, being built on one of three sites identified by the council, to accommodate 315 pupils.

All pupils currently attending the two schools would be guaranteed a place at the new school.

The authority said it needed to carry out a major review because of falling pupil numbers.

The new revised plans are expected to be approved by the council's education chief Alan Whittaker (above) on February 14.

Education chiefs held crunch meetings with teachers, parents and governors after thousands protested against the proposed closures.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman today said the new proposals showed the authority had listened to the public's views during a consultation period.

Today county councillor Sean Serridge, with responsibility for Bacup and Whitworth, said: "This is fantastic news. Alan Whittaker has taken on board the local opposition.

"Both myself and local MP Janet Anderson made numerous representations to the board. There is a lot of new development taking place in and around Bacup and in Britannia there's an extra 200 houses being built which will bring in more families needing nursery and school places.

"Bacup nursery school has been offering excellent education for 50 years so I am sure everybody who has any involvement with the nursery will be as equally delighted to hear the news."

A separate review of Roman Catholic primary schools in Rossendale is being undertaken by Salford Catholic Diocese.