Schools are facing closure in an education shake-up which parents fear could lead to larger classes.

Parents have already launched a campaign to save at least one of six schools earmarked for closure in a series of planned mergers.

Others face an uncertain future as their children's schools are considered for a major reorganisation.

Children as young as four at Freshbrook First School in Grinstead Lane, Lancing, could be forced to travel further to get to school and could be taught in larger classes.

Their school is one of 11 first and middle schools in the Adur district which could be amalgamated or closed to streamline education in the area.

West Sussex County Council wants to create the 11 all-through primary schools which children would leave at age 11 rather than 12 to bring them in line with the rest of the county.

Adur is one of few districts in the country where children go to into secondary education at 12, meaning their key stage three learning is split between middle school level and secondary.

The county council said it had been told in consultations that most parents wanted the secondary school entry age to be changed to 11 and that "all-through" primary schools would be better than separate first and middle schools or infant and junior schools.

Some schools also had surplus school places because of falling pupil numbers, so merging schools was understood to be a more efficient use of resources.

But the £15 million proposals, which were presented to parents for consultation in a leaflet on Friday, are now facing mounting opposition.

Under the proposals, Freshbrook could merge with Thornberry Middle School in Freshbrook Road, with the new school situated on the Thornberry site.

Freshbrook headteacher Jenny Aldridge said she hoped the education authority would listen to parents' opinions. She said: "I await the outcome of this consultation and I am confident that all parties are working for the best interests of the children."

In Fishersgate, more than 200 people have signed a petition to save Fishersgate First School in Gardner Road after the county council suggested merging it with Manor Hall First School and Manor Hall Middle School in Southwick. The new amalgamated school would be at the middle school site in Manor Hall Road.

Elaine Ross said closing Fishersgate school would be devastating for the community. Her son Kieran, five, currently goes to the school and her daughter, Shannon, two, will shortly start at the nursery.

Mrs Ross said: "Fishersgate is a true community school. It's not just about the kids but the parents as well and to close it would simply rip the heart out of our small community.

"Our school is quite small so children get much more attention from teachers but if they are chucked in bigger classes in a bigger school they won't get that and I think it will be damaging."

Chairwoman of governors Sally Willson, said: "The staff and parents are absolutely devastated. We thought we had made a very strong case for having an all-through primary school here."

She said that families faced a much longer walk to Manor Hall or crossing an old railway bridge which was difficult with small children and buggies and she worried some parents may not make the journey regularly.

In Shoreham the county council hopes to merge Kingston Buci First School in Middle Road, Shoreham, with Buckingham Middle School in Buckingham Road with an all-through primary school at the Buckingham site - where parking is already described as "atrocious".

Under the proposals Templars First School and White Styles Middle School in Sompting would amalgamate, as would Willows First School and Oakfield Middle School in Lancing. North Lancing First and Middle School, Shoreham Beach First School, Shoreham First School, Holmbush First School in Shoreham and The Glebe Middle School in Southwick would all become all-through primary school.

St Peter's Primary School will remain the same and further consultation will take place at St Nicholas and St Mary First and Middle School in Shoreham.