Education bosses have signalled there may be a change of heart over plans to close two schools in Crawley.

They have told parents Southgate First and Middle Schools may stay open.

The schools had been earmarked for closure under radical plans to overhaul education in the town.

If the schools were closed it would mean pupils travelling to Southgate West First and Middle Schools, which would become one large primary school for children aged four to 11.

David Monger, deputy education director for West Sussex County Council, told parents at a meeting he would consider changing the recommendation to keep the schools open but merge them into one large primary school.

Sue Stooks, parent and member of the Save Our Schools campaign, said she was delighted.

She said Mr Monger had pointed out the proposals were a good model but without the support of the community they might not work.

She said: "These are two separate communities and if you take one of the schools out it will destroy the community so they have obviously listened to us."

Council communication manager Jane Robinson said: "David Monger said this is a consultation we are carrying out and obviously we take into account the strength of feeling concerned.

"There could be change in light of the feeling that people have about those particular schools.

"We have got to make sure that people know nothing is set in stone and things could change."

Mrs Robinson said the consultation process was open until March 22, after which the county council would produce a report with certain recommendations.

People would then have a further period of time to object before a final report was produced.

A decision would be made in autumn and then from January 2003 to September 2004 they would be reorganising the teaching structure and making changes to buildings where necessary.