The council said it has an 'open mind' to suggestions

Opponents fear a number of primary schools may be earmarked for closure.

Carmarthenshire Council said falling birth rates and dilapidated school buildings meant change was essential.

It insisted its aim was to give pupils the best possible education. But many parents fear a loss of schools would be damaging to their communities.

The debate first came to a head in rural parts of Pembrokeshire and Denbighshire. Similar concerns have been voiced in Cardiff and Swansea.

Some of our school buildings do not meet the standards that our children deserve and we have a duty to be pro-active Carmarthenshire councillor Mary Thomas

Carmarthenshire Council first outlined its 10-year plan last October, which involve one new secondary school and 19 new primaries being created and about a quarter of the existing schools being shut.

The proposal has already led to protests by parents in some communities.

Interested parties, including parents and teachers, will now be encouraged to take part in the official consultation process before the proposals are presented to the full council for a decision.

Campaigners concerned at a reorganisation of education services have spoken of fears that Welsh language tuition might suffer.

Earlier this month, Cymdeithas yr Iaith (Welsh Language Society) claimed more than 1,000 children would no longer be automatically taught in Welsh.

The organisation said it believed Welsh and English medium schools would be merged in the county.

Under the current language policy for primary schools in Carmarthenshire, all pupils in Welsh-speaking communities are taught through the medium of Welsh.

Protest rallies have already been held in the county

The council insisted that parents who wanted their children taught in Welsh could continue to do so, and facilities would also improve.

Carmarthenshire Council said as part of its �110m plan, schools with sub-standard accommodation would be replaced with modern facilities.

It maintained no child would lose access to Welsh medium primary education, and each individual school closure would be subject to full consultation.

Education executive board member, Councillor Mary Thomas, said the council was looking forward to hearing from interested parties.

"It is important that full consultation and discussion takes place," she said.

"We will be a listening council and will look at every point that comes forward during consultation with an open mind.