PLANS to close or merge Little Hulton's two secondary schools will be discussed at a special meeting tonight.

The event precedes public meetings with education bosses next week.

The Salford Secondary School Review earmarked Little Hulton Community and Joseph Eastham High Schools to merge on either one or the other existing sites.

A third proposal was for the closure of Little Hulton Community High School.

These were the three options for the two schools, as part of a Salford City Council strategy to address surplus places in its secondary schools.

But now, before the local education authority begins its series of public consultations, members of the Little Hulton and and Walkden, and Worsley and Boothstown community committees intend to meet to discuss the proposals.

Tonight's meeting starts at 5pm at the One Stop Shop, Little Hulton Community School, Longshaw Drive, Little Hulton.

There are currently 12,413 pupils in Salford's secondary schools. Total capacity in the city is 14,771. A total of 13 schools have surplus capacity while four are over capacity.

Following tonight's meeting, residents will get their chance to quiz education bosses at two meetings in the Pembroke Halls, Walkden, on Monday, July 31.

These public meetings are part of the consultation exercise being undertaken by council bosses before any final decisions are made. Meetings at Walkden will be at 4pm and 7pm. Cllr Roger Jones, lead member for education with Salford City Council, said: "We are determined to let as many people as possible have a say on the future of the city's secondary schools." The consultation period ends on Friday, August 25.