COUNCILLORS clashed at a Borough Council meeting this week during time set aside for questions about the future of local schools.

Empty seats in Hanworth classrooms are creating speculation that schools may be forced to merge in a cost cutting exercise by the Council. Local residents are concerned that the surplus of places at Oriel Primary and Crane Park Primary schools could result in one of the sites being closed permanently and the two schools bunking up at desks in the same building.

Councillor Mark Bowen attended the meeting on Tuesday night and directed a question to Councillor Colin Ellar, the executive member with the responsibility for schools, asking him to make a statement regarding his intentions for the two establishments.

However, Cllr Bowen, who represents Feltham North, was not satisfied with the response. Cllr Bowen said after the meeting: "He Cllr Ellar stated that I was being "opportunistic" as the schools in question are not in my ward. I consider this is a disgraceful accusation.

"I make no apology for asking questions that are in the public interest and he should note that a number of worried parents from the Hanworth area came to see me at a recent surgery and have contacted me by email. I am very happy that they did so and they have my support in fighting any possible compromise in the provision of primary education in the Hanworth area and beyond!"

Speaking to the Times in response to these remarks, Cllr Ellar said: "His question was very badly worded. I personally don't have any intentions.

"I don't think Cllr Bowen knows anything about the situation and he's just in there to win a few votes."

Cllr Ellar confirmed that the Council are looking into the actions needed to resolve the problem. He said: "We intend to talk informally with the governors, head and parents of the local schools. It's a very open way of dealing with the problem.

"Parents greatly value the local schools and don't really want to see any changes, but of course I have to take on board the fact that there are all these places which are not filled. We must find out what the local people would be prepared to support and maybe meet them half way."

The Council is now putting together a report on ways in which the problem of surplus places in the area can be combated, due to be released on April 6. A council spokesperson said that the council was not able to discuss the options until this date.

Neither school wished to comment until the Council had delivered its proposals.