Schools may be forced to share teachers to cope with plummeting pupil numbers, Herefordshire councillors will be told today.

The future of schools in the county is to be addressed in an extensive review following a projected drop in pupils from 14,342 in 1999 to under 12,000 in 2016.

The local authority has insisted there were no plans to close any schools but heads may be shared by up to four schools along with teachers and other staff.

Staff could be shared between primary and secondary schools and partnerships forged between schools and outside bodies.

As part of the county-wide review of school provision, parents, teachers, diocesan bodies and other interested parties are being asked their views.

The review is aimed at explaining how standards of teaching and learning in schools can continue to improve when pupil numbers fall.

In a report to cabinet, which will meet at Brockington today, members will be told the fall in pupil numbers will bring about a reduction in government funding forcing the local authority to address the issue.