A consultation exercise has been under way concerning proposals that 17 infant and junior schools could be merged to form eight primaries.

Parents have staged protests against the plans which would affect up to 3,000 if implemented.

The move is designed to cope with the falling number of children. A final decision will be made tomorrow.

Survey results

The plans, which focus on schools in Louth, Gainsborough and Lincoln have provoked concern among families who fear children's education will be disrupted and have to travel further.

The county council launched a public consultation over the move at the beginning of the year and while the figures have not been released, it is reported most of the respondents are against the mergers.

The meeting will make recommendations but the final decision will be made by the Executive Councillor for Children's Services in Lincolnshire, Councillor Patricia Bradwell, on Friday.

It is estimated that by 2007-8 there will be 2,068 surplus places in the county's 35 separate infant and junior schools, with 1,231 of these in the Lincoln area alone.