Education chiefs say one of two schools serving Thorpe Edge and Idle must close, even though one of them only opened in September.

Nine months after opening Thorpe Primary at Idle, officials now say there are too many surplus places in that area.

Either Thorpe or Parkland Primary, a mile away on the Thorpe Edge estate, must close in September 2004.

Both have spare capacity. Parkland has only filled 270 of its 420 places while Thorpe has 40 over four year groups.

Labour MP Terry Rooney criticised the Council for leaving both schools in limbo. It is refusing to release details of its proposals until September.

One head teacher spoke of the "outrage" felt by parents while schools boss Councillor David Ward said it was "cruel" to leave the schools hanging on.

Jane Cranmer, chairman of governors at Parkland Primary, and a former pupil, said: "After a series of meetings we really don't know what the proposals might be for children in the area. There are proposals, but we're not being told what they are. Parents are very concerned about it.

"Governors feel a sense of outrage that we don't know what's going on.

"I don't want Parkland to close. We have done a lot of work here, it's a good school with good relations with the local community."

Thorpe Primary school opened last September and has drained some pupils away from Parkland.

"We have never really understood why that school had to open," Mrs Cranmer added.

Maggie Johnson, head at Thorpe, confirmed the school had 40 on roll spread between reception class and Years 1, 2 and 3. "The proposals have yet to be finalised and in view of the sensitivity we'd rather be in full possession of the facts before we make a response," she said.

Mr Rooney, MP for Bradford North, said: "This has been going on for six months - how long does it take to make a decision, and why the secrecy?

"It strikes me Thorpe should never have reopened. Having made that mistake, the authority shouldn't compound it, it should bite the bullet, take the decision to close Thorpe, and move the kids to Parkland so everyone can get on with their lives."

Coun Ward, executive member for education, said the proposals being put together were being drawn up by education officials. He and other councillors would have the chance to give views later, with the public.

"Before Thorpe opened I went back to officers time and time again, to ask if they were absolutely certain we could justify opening a new school," he said. "The answer I kept getting was yes, we can.

"One of the schools will be proposed for closure. It's not being made public what the recommendations of the officers will be. It would be wrong for me to say anything publicly until the heads and governors know.

"It's a great regret we can't do that sooner but the legal advice is that it has to be later rather than sooner. It seems very cruel - there's real angst in the school and staff morale is very low."

He added: "Thorpe has had a huge amount of money spent on building work there, several hundreds of thousands of pounds five or six years ago on its roof."

Phil Green, director of education at Bradford Council, said: "We are aware that there are issues surrounding surplus places in primary schools in the North Bradford area.

"We have been working with the schools to establish the true picture and explore the options.

"If proposals are made regarding surplus places in the area, these will be put forward to the Executive in September."