A RADNORSHIRE primary school with a history stretching back nearly 300 years could be closed by Powys County Council next year.

The authority has agreed to open a consultation on closing Whitton aided school.

The 20 pupil primary is supported by a charitable trust and the council has agreed it will consult the trust over the possible closure of the school.

The council will also undertake a community and equalities impact assessment of closing the school.

Whiton school first opened in a village barn in 1724 after Dame Anna Child, who died in 1703, left £500 to set up a trust to pay for the education of the children of Whitton and Pilleth.

The school claims to be the oldest non denominational 'aided' school in Wales and England.

Powys County Council, which says further reports will be put before its cabinet ahead of it taking any further decision on the school, has proposed the school could close in August 2014.

It has proposed reviewing the school's future as pupil numbers have dropped below 35. School governors say there is evidence pupil numbers will increase.

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