Parents at Bradford's three catholic secondary schools are being warned of a massive shake-up.

The reorganisation, due to take effect for the autumn 2009 term, could see one of the schools being shut for good.

Officials at the Catholic Diocese of Leeds, which covers Bradford, say falling numbers of pupils are to blame.

Trina Hagerty, who is the Diocese's Episcopal Delegate for Education, said the Diocese had to be realistic.

But she emphasised the idea of a shake-up was still in its "very early stages" and said no official plans or proposals had been made as yet.

The schools involved are boys-only St Bede's in Heaton, St Joseph's in Frizinghall for girls, and mixed-sex Yorkshire Martyrs in Tong which is a specialist sports college.

Mrs Hagerty said she understood the schools were sending out letters to all their parents this week to scotch any outbreaks of scare-mongering rumours.

"The schools want to keep the parents informed. The letters will say we are having initial discussions which will be on-going. We have spoken to the heads and governors of all the schools concerned and to Phil Green from Bradford Education after recognising that falling numbers mean there will not be a need for three catholic secondary schools in the city.

"We started these talks in December - it's about planning for the future. We have to be realistic about this. We know that in 2009 there will only be about 300 new Year 7s waiting to start which is significantly less than what we had this year.

"As yet there is no plan or any proposals. We still have lots of talking to do. What we can say though is that even with two schools and not three we will keep up the inclusion of 20 per cent non-catholic pupils."