The future seemed bleak today for Bradford's Temple Bank School for youngsters with sight problems as Council officers recommended its closure.

Director of education Phil Green will advise the executive committee next week to agree to publishing notices with a view to closing the only school of its type in Yorkshire next August.

Pupil numbers at the school in Daisy Hill have dwindled to only 47 and it is expected to be more than £100,000 in the red this year.

The school was earmarked for closure in 1998 when it had 57 pupils but won a reprieve after a public outcry backed by a 35,000-signature petition.

Members will be told that if the closure does not go ahead the school would have serious difficulty providing a balanced and relevant curriculum and extra funding would be necessary to run it.

They will also hear that the building constructed in 1923 is in need of major repairs to the roof and walls. The rooms are too small and there are inadequate facilities for the children.

There would be a two-month objection period after the publication of the notice and if any were received the school organisation committee would have to decide the school's future. If the closure went ahead youngsters with sight problems but no significant learning disabilities would be educated in mainstream schools. The three to 11-year-olds would go to their nearest primary schools where they would qualify for extra classroom support.

Pupils with additional disabilities would be offered places at other Bradford special schools.

The committee will be told that governors, staff and parents have been consulted and 16 people are against closure, while eight accept or agree with it.

Objectors said they did not want to lose the caring and secure environment of the school and some said an opportunity to develop the school as a centre of excellence for people with sight problems would be lost.

There was also concern that youngsters would be placed in mainstream schools which were ill equipped to deal with them.

Councillor David Ward, executive member for education, said: "We are listening closely to what people have said and are now looking to make our decision based on that.

"It is important that we provide the best education possible for these young people in an environment where they are in contact with other pupils."