education bosses are being urged not to destroy the future of New Forest villages in a controversial shake-up that could see a number of schools closed.

Councillors and residents have slammed proposals being considered by the county council in a money saving measure that could see four infant schools shut down.

Hampshire County Councillor John Coles, who has expressed his concerns over the effect of any closures, told a meeting of Fawley Parish Council that six options were being considered by Don Allen, Hampshire's executive member for education.

The schools involved are Blackfield Infant and Junior, Holbury Infant and Junior and Fawley and Manor Infant Schools.

Two of the options involve amalgamating Blackfield Infant and Junior Schools into one primary school and merging Holbury Infant and Junior Schools into another.

That would mean that all four infant school sites could be sold off and the number of head teachers involved in the education of the parish's infant and junior children would drop from six to two.

Other options involve disposing of one infant school in the Blackfield catchment area and one in the Holbury catchment area.

But the proposals, being considered because of a dramatic drop in birth rate in the area, which has left many empty places at the schools, were given an icy reception at the parish council meeting.

Resident Douglas Eaglen, a volunteer helper at Fawley Infant School, said: "I would ask councillors to search their hearts and make sure that neither Fawley nor Manor are destroyed. These children are the future of the village and once these buildings are gone, you will have lost them."

He added later: "Fawley, particularly is the core of the village and is where community life starts. Manor is a relatively new establishment but is a core of its community in the same way and I can't understand why they are under threat."

Concern was also expressed by Councillor Philip Pearce-Smith, who questioned the wisdom of closing Fawley school as it was in the Fawley Refinery hazard zone and redevelopment potential would be extremely limited.

Parents in the area are being consulted and have received letters from the council in line with the review.

It's not known how long it will take to carry out but the final report will be given to Cllr Allen.