COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve plans to merge Barden infant and junior departments as part of the new multi-million pound Barden Learning Campus in Burnley.

The decision on Thursday by Lancashire County Council could also rubber-stamp the merger of Barden Lane and Elm Street nurseries and the move of Holly Grove Special School to the new site.

The merger of the two departments will create a 350-place school, which was proposed as part of a consultation document following falling school rolls.

According to a report going to the cabinet member for schools next week: "The number on roll at Barden Infant/Junior fell from 415 in January 2001 to 356 in January 2006, a decline of 14.2 per cent.

"This compares with a 9.3 per cent decline in the north-east Burnley area."

And the plans have been approved by Anne Garth, headteacher at Barden Infant School, who said they were all looking forward to being part of the "fantastic new campus".

The new nursery could create 120 part-time places and 52 full-time day-care places as from September 2008.

The new facilities are expected to be placed on a new education campus site which will also feature a new multi-faith sixth form college.

That is being formed under Burnley's Building Schools for the Future programme.