In response to falling pupil numbers in county schools, and an expected 5,450 empty places by 2012 the proposals take into account population projections, predictions for housing for the next 10 years and the expected birth rate.

If councillors agree to the proposals, Selattyn, Measbury, Welshampton and Weston Lullingfields schools will go through a public consultation for closure.

Ann Hartley, Cabinet member for Children's Services said: "I believe this is the way forward to ensure well-funded and sustainable primary schools for the future, the schools on the list are not necessarily for closure, they are just going on to the next stage where we gather more information, and consult with those involved.

"If we do nothing now in three years time 50 of our schools with be one quarter empty. The needs of the children, not the parent or the community come before anything else and this is the acid test for closure plans and any oppostion."

Weston Lullingfields CE School, currently has 28 pupils in a building with 53 places, with numbers set to drop. Pupils would go to Cockshutt which has 30 unfilled places, Baschurch or West Felton.

Welshampton CE School has 81 pupils in a building with 84 places, by 2012 this will drop to 58, with no hall and unsuitable buildings, backlog maintenance stands at £60,500 to keep the school at the current level. There is an Early Years centre attached, pupils will go to Ellesmere with 56 empty seats, Cockshutt or Criftins, with the possibilty for expansion at Criftins.

Selattyn CE School has 74 pupils in a building for 90, numbers forecast to fall to 70 by 2012, pupils would go to Weston Rhyn has 31 spare seats, Trefonen with 37 spare, and some fall-back to Oswestry.

Maesbury has 52 pupils in a building with 60 places. Pupils would go to Morda with 24 places and West Felton which would have an expansion.

Oswestry Infants and Beech Grove Junior Schools are proposed to be amalgamated, the predicted roll is 318 by 2012 which is larger than either building. It is proposed that a combined school will retain both buildings for the time being with the option to consolidate into a single building should the numbers drop.

There is also the proposal to expand Our Lady and St Oswalds Catholic School, as the numbers of Catholic children in the area is due to rise.

Schools to be closed after the end of the consultations will be gone by September 2009.