FALLING birth rates have sparked a review of surplus places at schools.

Gloucestershire County Council is preparing to outline its view as part of a public consultation in the New Year. However, it says it is not planning to close schools.

Redmarley councillor Will Windsor Clive said the council's long list of schools where there are spare places includes Bromesberrow St Mary's, Pauntley CE and Redmarley CE.

Coun Windsor Clive said: "We could be talking about mergers but it's early days."

Coun Charmian Sheppard, the council's education spokesman, said: "With falling birth rates and the subsequent surplus school places, the county council has to look at planning ahead to reduce these places over the next five years.

"We've identified schools where we envisage a significant surplus and we're at the early stages of planning the best way forward. This is a major challenge and over the coming months we'll be identifying options for these schools, in particular primary schools, where the situation is more critical. Closures are unlikely."

The Conservative's prospective parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean, Mark Harper, described the move as a cause for concern.

"Until this is resolved I fear that a number of schools will feel that a cloud is hanging over them," he said.