FORTY-five schools will close and 30 re-open in their place as Wyre Forest adopts two-tier education from 2007, an independent schools panel confirmed.

Worcestershire County Council announced its intention to overhaul the district's school system in July last year, to combat a 15 per cent fall in pupil numbers.

The Schools Organisation Committee (SOC) approved the proposal to swap first, middle and high schools for the more modern primary and secondary set up.

"Agreement for the review was unanimous across all political parties and we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver major educational change for the better," said Coun June Longmuir, SOC chairman and former cabinet member for education.

"What is needed now is close working between the schools to ensure that the transition for pupils in Wyre Forest is as smooth as possible," she added.

Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport's first schools will become primaries - mostly in former middle school buildings - while the five high schools will be refurbished.

Although the decision was expected, Lea Street First School campaigners and county councillors, Mike and Fran Oborski, described the decision as a "catastrophe".

Chairman of the Parents 4 St Barnabas campaign, Nigel Knowles, was also "outraged".

"No one listened to our case for keeping our school," he said.

The project will cost £160m, £50m of which has already been ring-fenced in the county council's capital budget for the primary stage.

Councillors hope the remaining £110m will come from the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme.