THE size of primary school classes throughout Bolton is being kept to less than 30 pupils - bucking the national trend.

Nationally, there has been an increase in primary school pupils being taught in class sizes of over 30.

The Department for Education and Skills released figures showing that 20,730 five-to-seven year-olds were in classes of more than 30 in January, 2004. In January of this year, the figure had risen to 22,080.

But Bolton's education chiefs said children aged seven or under in the borough were in classes of no more than 30.

Chris Swift, assistant director of policy resources, said: "Class sizes in the borough are compliant with the law.

"There are cases in some schools where the latter year classes may be above the 30 limit, but this is a residual effect from before it came into force."

Class sizes in the lower years meet the regulations.

Falling pupil rolls in the borough have prompted education chiefs to carrying out a five-year review of primary school places.

Proposals put forward under phase one are the amalgamation of Christ Church and Top o'th' Brow, subject to funding, or the closure of Christ Church, together with the closure of either Crompton Fold or Roscow Fold Primary School.

Other steps proposed are the reduction of the admissions intake at Tonge Moor Primary School from 60 to 30 from September, 2007, and a reduction in the intake at Church Road Community Primary School in Heaton from 60 to 30 from next September.