Education chiefs came under fire from parents last night over their controversial plan to scrap more than 40 middle schools across Northumberland.

In the first public meeting to discuss how schools in the county will be run, parents slammed Northumberland County Council bosses for not having a detailed plan of a two-tier system in action.

The meeting, at Blyth's Phoenix Theatre, was held for families to voice opinions about 44 middle schools being axed to pave the way for a primary and secondary education system.

The proposed £650m move met a furious reaction as parents, teachers and governors accused the council of having decided the switch without enough consultation.

Chairman Coun Bob Parker opened the meeting with a presentation describing it as one of the country's biggest investments in schools.

The council has sent questionnaires to all 149,000 homes in the county.

But parents said the questionnaire was "appalling", and one teacher warned: "The quality teachers are poring through the papers to try and find jobs in other local authorities."

Council director of children's services Trevor Doughty and head of planning resources Frank Jordan said contingency plans would be in place, but admitted supply teachers would have to be drafted in.

The crowd also demanded information about transport, new school buildings and learning.

Jayne Walker, a mother of two school-age children who teaches French at Wensleydale Middle School, Blyth, said: "The council aren't listening to us - I don't think a school of 2,000 can give them the care they need."

Coun Parker said: "The parents were concerned at certain things that needed to be looked at further - but what we are doing is bringing it to the people and hopefully we can get our message across. All we want is what is best for the children."