The lifelong learning committee backed the closure

Plans to shut the primary at St Fillans on Loch Earnside were first brought forward in 2004 but put on hold in the hope a new housing would boost numbers.

But this may only have brought a handful of children to the school, which has had no pupils for two years.

Perth and Kinross Council's lifelong learning committee backed the closure at a meeting on Wednesday.

The St Fillan's catchment area will now be merged with that of neighbouring Comrie Primary School.

'Emotive issue'

The council said Comrie school was under capacity and could accommodate pupils living in St Fillan's.

Committee convener Councillor George Hayton said: "We appreciate that this is a complex and emotive issue but we are also mindful of our responsibilities and intend to ensure that all pupils continue to have access to high quality education in a conducive and welcoming environment."

In May last year, it was agreed that St Fillan's be kept open until March 2006 to determine whether any of the families living in St Fillan's intended to enrol their children there.

It was estimated that a planned housing development in the area may only result in a maximum of four children requiring schooling by December 2007.