Four years ago there were 16 pupils on the books of Monkhouse Deaf Support Centre, based in Monkhouse Primary School in North Shields, but that has fallen to just one child this year.

And North Tyneside Council's cabinet were told at their meeting last week that the pupil will be transferred to another school by the end of the school year, leaving the centre empty.

As a result, members agreed to close the centre from September and transfer all staff to a similar facility at Marden High School.

Coun Norma Redfearn, cabinet member for children, young people and learning, said: "It has been our ambition to integrate as many children as possible from the centre into mainstream schooling.

"At this point in time there is one child at the centre, all the others have been integrated.

"I would just like to say 'well done' to all the staff there.

"We want to close it from September as all the children will have gone and keeping it open would not be value for money.

"It really is good news to have all those pupils in mainstream schools and know the staff who will be involved in the cutbacks will help at Marden High."