PARENTS have backed proposals to merge two Huddersfield primary schools.

Their vote of approval came at a series of consultation meetings.

Education chiefs are now almost certain to go ahead with the plans for Stile Common Infant and Nursery School and Stile Common Junior School, Newsome.

A brand new school to be built on the junior school site is expected to be open in September, 2008.

About 240 pupils would be on the register.

A Kirklees Council Cabinet committee is due to approve the merger at a meeting next Wednesday.

The plans were unveiled last year when it was stated that children would benefit by not having to switch schools at the age of seven.