BLACKBURN councillors have expressed "grave concerns" about plans to replace two schools in needy neighbourhoods with a new one in the middle of a prosperous estate.

The diocese of Blackburn and school governors have decided to close St Andrew's and St Bartholomew's primary schools as well as St Bartholomew's Church.

They will be replaced by a new school and a "worship centre" that is due to built in the middle of the Fernhurst Farm housing estate.

A planning application for the work has been sent to Blackburn with Darwen Council and a decision about the project is likely to be made soon.

It is believed that falling numbers at St Andrew's coupled with building problems at St Bartholemew's prompted church bosses to try to find a solution.

But two local councillors are worried children from the Livesey will have a long walk to the new school, while parents in Fernhurst Farm will have a new state-of-the-art facility.

A spokesman for the diocesan education board said it was aware that some councillors had concerns about the route pupils from the Livesey estate would have to walk to the new school.

"Discussions about a walkway between Livesey and the new school have taken place."

Maureen Bateson, an Ewood councillor, said that while the council always expected there would be additional need for a school and that space had been left in the estate for one, she was concerned.

"We never expected that two schools would be closed, we were very surprised," she said. "I have grave concerns that two schools are being taken away from communities and replaced somewhere that is not easily accessible."

Coun John Milburn said he would be asking for a safe route when it came to the planning stage. It is not known whether any new route would be a road, a path or a specially designed walkway.