PRIMARY schools across Manchester could be closed or merged as part of a new drive to cut the number of empty desks by 2,000.

Town hall bosses say the falling birth rate has caused an increase in the number of surplus places across the city which, in some schools, leaves one in three desks unoccupied.

And yet in some pockets of the city - including Chorlton and Cheetham Hill - increasing populations have actually increased demand for places, with some parents having to approach two or three schools before finding a suitable vacancy.

Education chiefs have launched a city-wide review of primary school places with the aim of ensuring places match populations in particular districts - taking falling birth rates, as well as growth factors such as the regeneration of districts, into account.

And within weeks they intend to draw up a list of schools that could be considered either for closure, for merger or to have additional places allocated.

Executive member for education, Coun Bernard Stone, said: "We are committed to ensuring that there are sufficient school places across the city - and this includes trying to provide extra places where possible in densely populated areas where there are reasonable parental demands for them.

"At the same time we are also determined to continue the process of streamlining schools where it is clear that there are more places in a school than are actually required locally.

"Past experience has shown us that ensuring there are the right number of places in well-equipped 21st century school buildings does much to help create the kind of vibrant and lively schools in which pupils thrive and do well."

Funding

Without the radical review, Coun Stone says schools with high numbers of surplus places will suffer financially because funding levels are largely dependent on school population. And across the city he says budgets will be wasted on duplicated resources and heating rooms that are only half full.

Earlier this year the council drew up plans to close Ashbury and Bank Meadow primary schools, in Beswick, because of the large number of surplus places and replace the two schools with a new school, which is due to open in September 2003.

Coun Stone said: "If you are in a school were there are a large number of surplus places it means budgets are being stretched. You wouldn't necessarily get all the staff you need, but if you can recruit staff you can enhance education of the children.

"A full report in December will identify which schools will get extra places and which will have surplus places removed."

Already the council is looking at plans to increase the number of nursery places at Chorlton Park Primary and Birchfields Primary from 45 to 90.

Coun Sheila Newman, chair of the council's children and young people's committee, said: "This is very good news for local parents as it eases some of the pressures currently being experienced."

Withington MP Keith Bradley said: "This is an important announcement but it is essential that we don't rest here.

"I am also continuing to make arguments for schools across my constituency in respect of the provision of both nursery and primary places and I hope that further progress can be made in the weeks to come."

This is the council's biggest review of primary places since 1999.