Councillors in the Western Isles are expected to approve a consultation on school closures when the education services committee meets on Tuesday.

Officials have recommended closing all four rural secondary schools and 14 primary schools over an eight year period, in a move that would save the council millions of pounds.

If the bid is successful, the islands' rural two-year secondary schools system will be abolished.

The unique system allows pupils to continue education in their home district until their third year of secondary school instead of facing lengthy bus trips to the nearest secondary school.

After an earlier closure attempt the Scottish Government ordered the council to retain four rural units.

The number of island schools by half to just 21 which a report insists is required to tackle significant problems in paying for "too many buildings with too few pupils."

The council plans to reduce the number of primary schools from 36 to 19, with four secondary schools accommodating pupils across the Hebrides.

Western Isles Council needs to save £10million over the next three years and axing the schools would be part of the cutbacks.

The council also needs cash to put towards the £50million bill for five new centralised schools which are being constructed from this summer.

Under the plans, consultations will start immediately through a series of community conversations.