Final talks on Denbigh and Rhyl faith schools' merger

The final consultation meetings are being held with parents about controversial plans to merge two faith schools in Rhyl and Denbigh.

Denbighshire Council has been in talks with church leaders over the future of Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High and St Brigid's.

The plan is to launch a new dual faith school for Anglicans and Catholics but this has led to opposition.

Meetings are being held at St Asaph on Tuesday and in Rhyl on Wednesday.

Under the proposals, the new school would operate on existing sites from 2014 with the building of a new mixed faith site would taking place within five years.

The council has said it is "an important part of ensuring the county can sustain quality education into the future".

There are currently 360 pupils at the Denbigh school.

The new joint faith school would open in September with the Rhyl site based at the former Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School. It would operate as an 11-16 school.

The Denbigh site would operate as an ages three to 18 school.

Members of St Brigid's School Denbigh Against Closure campaign group say they want their school retained and say they are still waiting for a business case for the proposals.

A spokesperson said there was also a concern it would have an impact on Denbigh businesses.

"If the pupils are educated elsewhere, they and their parents are unlikely to visit Denbigh," said the spokesperson.

"Many of the parents and staff live in Denbigh and their business may go elsewhere."

A public meeting is being held at St Asaph leisure centre, 17:00-19:00 BST on Tuesday and a final consultation meeting will be held at Ysgol Mair in Rhyl on Wednesday 3 July, 17:00-19:00 BST.

The consultation process closes on 22 July.