Schools in Llanelli are set for a makeover following new proposals by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Many of the west Wales town's 23 schools do not currently have enough pupils to fill places and children are being taught in buildings that are in urgent need of repair.

The council says the schools need improving

The new proposals will improve facilities for primary education, remove most of Llanelli's surplus places, and increase the number of schools providing nursery education.

If approved schools in the area can expect a gradual scheme of improvement over the next five years.

Michelle Morris, spokesperson for the council, said they had started the review because they realised a number of school buildings were not up to scratch.

"The stress here is not about the quality of education but the quality of the facilities, not just for the pupils but for the teachers as well."

Alun Davies, Education and Community Services Director, said Llanelli schools are in serious need of updating.

"In some schools teachers and pupils have less than ideal facilitiies in which to teach and learn," he said.

"These proposals are intended to improve this situation."

Merger

There are more than 800 surplus spaces in Llanelli primary schools. In eight schools more than a quarter of places are left unfilled.

"It is just a case of having too many places across the 23 schools," Ms Morris said.

Under the new proposals, some schools will be merged in an attempt to cut the number of extra places.

A scheme for improvement was agreed in March last year and is now getting closer to implementation.

The council's executive board meet on Monday to discuss the proposals.

If given the go ahead, they will consult parents, teachers and the wider community to find out how they would like Llanelli schools to develop.

There were protests in April at closure plans

Carmarthenshire councillor Mary Thomas said: "It is important that the council starts planning now how it can improve the situation over the next five years.

"Many of these schools are currently operating in buildings which are not up to standard and which urgently need investment."

Earlier this year, the council voted to press ahead with plans to close 10 village schools despite opposition from parents and Welsh language activists.

Five Welsh-medium schools near Pencader, along with a second group of five schools in the Amman Valley are earmarked for closure under the plans.