MEETINGS are being organised for thousands of parents in Torfaen whose children will be affected by a major primary school reorganisation.

As previously reported, falling pupil numbers mean that over the next five years Torfaen is facing a huge rise in the number of surplus primary school places.

Education chiefs are warning there will be more than 2,500 empty desks by 2008 - one in four primary school places - and is preparing the way for a programme of mergers and possible closures.

Speaking at a council cabinet meeting yesterday, director for education Mike de Val said: "What may be a difficult process should be mitigated by the fact that any resources saved will be reinvested in primary education.

"The council has launched a consultation document for parents, laying out the options and public meetings have been organised to discuss the issues."

Councillor John Turner, Torfaen council's executive member for education, said before yesterday's cabinet meeting:"

These meetings are crucial to help us plan for the future. We want parents, grandparents, local residents, and anyone with an interest in their local primary school, to come along and tell us what they think.

"There is one meeting organised for each primary school cluster that feeds into our different secondary schools so everyone will get a chance to speak."

Surplus places currently cost Torfaen £360,000 - a figure which could rise to £500,000 in 2008. Proposals to be put to parents include the amalgamation of Croesyceiliog Junior and Infants Schools, Fairwater Infants and Junior, Woodlands Infants and Junior, and Penygarn Infants and Juniors.

It follows the huge public outcry and protests over plans to close Trevethin School.

No schools are marked for closure at this stage but a consultation document is to be sent to 10,000 parents.