Two special educational needs schools in Malmesbury and Wootton Bassett could face closure under plans announced by Wiltshire Council.

A review of facilities across the county means four centres will close and the facilities at Longleaze Primary School in Wootton Bassett and at Malmesbury Primary School will be given 12 months more to run their services, after which there will be a review which could see them axed too.

Wiltshire Council wants to implement the controversial changes because it says there are too many places that are not being taken up.

Across Wiltshire only 59 percent of places are used. The number would be reduced from 306 to 200.

If councillors approve the report on July 27, the council will benefit from £500,000 in efficiency savings.

Coun Lionel Grundy, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Our view throughout has been that we clearly found our capacity in specialist learning centres was not being used to its full extent.

“We want to review the whole situation in 12 months for this part of the county. We will do it holistically with Swindon.

“We understand completely how sensitive this is. Parents should fight tooth and nail for their children. So that is why all our discussions have been done in a proper way.

“What we think we will finish up with is a more effective and more efficient package.”

Wiltshire Council chief executive Andrew Kerr said: “It will be providing us with another year of stability in uncertain times.”

The Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury sites could be at greater risk after the council said it would discuss with Swindon Council what provision for specialist learning centres it plans to offer.

It may decide that it will force students to travel to Swindon’s facilities instead.

Council bosses have sought to reassure the two centres by setting up a service level agreement which will guarantee their use over the next year, but the plans sparked controversy when they were opened up to public consultation.

Around 300 people responded to the consultation exercises in five public meetings and area boards.

It came after 2,500 questionnaires were sent out.

A petition was also delivered to county hall in Trowbridge by Longleaze Primary School representatives.