RURAL schools in Carmarthenshire could be shut without parents being consulted, if council chiefs get their way.

Carmarthenshire Council's executive board members called for the time-consuming consultation process to be ditched if a school with just a handful of pupils attending was to close.

The move comes after it was revealed officers were forced to carry out a full consultation before the board approved plans to close schools in Cefnbrynbrain, which has eight pupils, and Ystradowen, which has four pupils.

The schools will close in July and pupils will move to Brynaman CP. The board voted unanimously to approve the closures.

But council leader Meryl Gravell pointed out the decision could have been taken months ago.

"If you have one objection, it has to go through all the processes and to me, that's absolutely crackers," she said.

Deputy leader Kevin Madge said he was concerned about the money involved.

"We are throwing money at this and then we are going to have to make cuts to the frontline services," he said.

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However, councillors will face tough opposition should they try to get rid of the consultation process.

Sioned Elin, chairwoman of Welsh language lobby group Cymdeithas yr Iaith in the county, was quick to criticise the idea.

She said: "They announce years ahead that they intend to close schools, thus ensuring that a number of parents will remove their children.

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"It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"This makes a mockery of the county council's policy of co-operating to safeguard Welsh speaking communities and protect the education of the children."