PLANS to shut two Swindon schools have moved a step closer.

Swindon Council last night voted unanimously to push ahead with proposals to axe Windmill Hill and Freshbrook primary schools.

It came despite pleas from worried parents to reconsider its planned shake-up of education in west Swindon.

Under the blueprint, both the schools would be closed by 2008, although final dates have yet to be finalised.

A new school would be built on the Freshbrook site.

At the packed meeting councillors agreed to issue a statutory notice, all but sealing the fate of the schools.

Mum-of-two Pam Durston, 35, of Freshbrook, is one of many parents campaigning against the closure of Windmill Hill.

She felt that the meeting was a "waste of time" and said the outcome was inevitable.

But Mrs Durston said parents would continue fighting to save the school.

An action group, West Swindon Parents For Choice, has already been set up. It will continue to pushy for a U-turn.

"It was very brief the councillors just stuck up their hands and voted it in," said Mrs Durston, whose children, Fraser, seven, and five-year-old Bethany attend the school.

"I can not understand why they want to close a good school like this when they are talking about improving education in Swindon.

"The staff at Windmill Hill are brilliant they do not deserve to lose their jobs."

If the axe does fall on Windmill Primary, Toothill Primary may be rebuilt.

The council estimates the two new schools will cost £10.7m to build. They say that there will be 680 surplus school places across west Swindon schools by 2009 unless action is taken now.

It is also planning to close Salt Way Primary and extend Shaw Ridge Primary.

Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), the lead member for children's services, said: "The proposal that is now going forward is to close Windmill and build a brand new school on the Freshbrook site.

"We have listened to what has been said but the Windmill Hill site is not large enough so it makes sense to build one at Freshbrook."

Before Christmas formal meetings were held with parents, staff and governors.

It is hoped that the new school would be open by September 2008, although this is subject to review.