Councillors will have to be “stark staring bonkers” to even consider closing up to five Powys schools, it was claimed today.

Glyn Davies, the Conservative spokesman for Montgomeryshire who released a leaked report about the proposals, said everyone he had spoken to about the proposals so far strongly opposes the Powys County Council plans.

The talks have been sparked by a leaked report which suggests a radical revamp of education services in Powys.

The proposals could see secondary schools at Llanidloes, Crickhowell, Gwern-yfed, Llanfyllin or Llanfair Caereinion and Llandrindod Wells or Builth Wells closed.

They could be replaced with “learning centres” and “centres of excellence” although council chiefs have stressed no decision will be taken until public consultation is held.

Mr Davies said: “The message from the Llanfyllin meeting to the council was ‘Go away and think again’. Every single person present was passionately opposed to the closure of Llanfyllin High School, or to taking away its sixth form.

“County councillors will have to be stark staring bonkers to even think about such an idea.”

But chief executive of the council Jeremy Patterson warned change is necessary.

He said: “The county must modernise its secondary sector if it is to provide the best possible education for its youngsters.

“This is the start of a process that will need considerable debate before any decisions are taken.”