SCHOOL leaders and governors from across Tynedale met in Hexham on Thursday night to consider the implications of Bright Tribe pulling the plug on its takeover plans for Haydon Bridge High School.

The meeting, at Hexham Auction Mart, followed a briefing for local county councillors after the Cheshire-based multi-academy trust announced on Thursday that a question mark over the school's long-term viability due to falling pupil numbers had prompted the decision.

Bright Tribe has been lined up to become main sponsor of the school since 2015 and said it had made pupils, parents and staff aware of the decision - however reports from some parents suggest they had not been notified.

Now the deputy leader of Northumberland County Council has pledged to seize the opportunity to review the educational offer across the west of the county.

Coun. Wayne Daley, who is also portfolio holder for children's services, said: "Since we took over the council in May, my top priority has been to get the issue of Haydon Bridge High School sorted.

"Nobody ever wants a situation where we are leaving young people languishing in education which is not suitable.

"What we have now is a genuine opportunity to get the whole community involved in shaping the future of education for the West of Northumberland."

Council officers are now working on proposals for launching a formal consultation on education across the district, which is due to be considered by the cabinet next month.