They were left furious last week after many of them found out the news via social media — thanks to an administrative gaff from the local authority which saw a letter sent out 24 hours early to a handful of nursery parents.

It led to red-faced council bosses issuing an apology over the mistake.

Parents and children from primary schools in Bonhill were left upset after West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) announced it was planning to close and merge Ladyton and Highdykes Primaries, moving them into the current St Ronan’s building and creating a new school St Ronan’s would then move to the vacant Ladyton Primary, with £1.5 million earmarked to upgrade both buildings.

Ladyton Nursery will be converted to an under-threes centre, while three to five-year-olds would attend a new facility in St Ronan’s Primary. There was similar news for parents in neighbouring Balloch, however the announcement confirmed nearly 500 pupils would benefit from a brand new £15 million campus.

Proposals are for Haldane and Jamestown primaries to be amalgamated on the current site of St Kessog’s in Balloch, with a new St Kessog’s constructed there, creating a co-location campus similar to the one under construction in Bellsmyre.

A new Jamestown Nursery would also be built on its current site as part of the plans.

But parents from Bonhill have been left asking why their children aren’t being offered a new school, with 90 per cent of the £17 million budget earmarked for the neighbouring new build.

A decision will be taken at 2pm this afternoon (Wednesday) at the council's offices at Garshake Road.