Herefordshire Council has announced plans for a major education review in the Bromyard area.

The council says it has too many surplus school places and wants to review the situation countywide, area by area.

The Government gives the council money per school pupil, not per place.

Bromyard and Leominster form one area and are likely to be reviewed from September, with any measures coming into play by March 2007.

Under current policy, primary schools immediately at risk of closure are those with fewer than 36 pupils or where inspectors have identified serious weaknesses. Schools with between 36-45 pupils are also in jeopardy if it is considered pupil numbers will fall.

On a more general level, areas are allowed to only have 15 per cent of their places unfilled.

In Bromyard and Leominster there are currently 425 surplus primary school places, 361 above permitted levels.

George Salmon, head of policy and resources, said it should not be assumed the council wishes to close individual schools.

He said the council's current policy on school closure needed reviewing, in favour of schools working together to save money.

Measures could include schools sharing a head or high school teachers also working in primary schools.