A FORMAL decision to close a Church of England primary school is expected to be made next Wednesday.

Bolton education chiefs will present their case to shut Christ Church School, Harwood, to the final decision-making body, the Schools Organisation Committee.

It is a regional committee appointed by the Department for Education and Skills. It is made up of six organisations, including Bolton Council, and governors who will decide the fate of the primary school in Stitch-mi-Lane, which opened in the early 1840s. It could shut in July next year because of what education bosses say are falling pupil numbers in the borough.

It is expected SOC will approve the plans to shut the school.