RISING birth rates mean there are not enough places to accommodate children in Bolton schools.

Now 350 places have to be found by 2013 and half of those have to be created by September.

Now parents are being consulted on phase two of the primary expansion programme involving 20 schools.

Phase one, which took place over the last two years, saw 200 extra places created in 17 schools, at a cost of £20 million.

But when the programme started the local authority came under fire as it had only recently closed primary schools, citing falling roll numbers.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “We would like to hear views on our plans for the Primary School Expansion Programme in Bolton. Bolton Council has already provided an additional 200 pupil places across Bolton over the past two years, and is proposing to provide more than 300 more places by further expanding primary schools to meet the rising demands for places.

“Primary schools have been selected based on the areas of rising birth rates which has created an increased demand for pupil places.”

Schools highlighted to take extra pupils include Sacred Heart RC in Westhoughton, while neighbouring Westhoughton Primary School was shut in 2008 by education chiefs because of falling pupil rolls. Hardy Mill in Harwood is another school which will be taking more pupils, while Christ Church CE in Harwood was closed because of too few pupils.

Also in the expansion programme is St Saviour’s in Ringley Plans to expand Hardy Mill have already met with a backlash from local residents who claim it will lead to increased traffic problems.

Consultation on the expansion programme is taking place until July 22, with school staff, parents, pupils, trade unions and diocesan representatives urged to take part. The full consultation document and feedback form is available at all primary schools, libraries and council information centres in Bolton or online at: bolton.gov.uk/primarys choolexpansion.