Repercussions from the council proposals have created a nightmare over switching schools.

Julie Riley thought she was doing the right thing when she put the names of her two daughters down for education in Cleckheaton.

But her actions have backfired – leaving her sleepless and her girls arguing.

The Rileys thought all was well last October when they earmarked 11-year-old Amber to go to Mirfield's Castle Hall school alongside her older sister, Jade, 13.

Amber is at Norristhorpe Junior and Infants and Julie, 44, wanted her to go to Castle Hall as 'Jade loves it there'.

"We thought they would be fine there together," she said. "We got Amber a place and everything looked good."

But then Kirklees Council announced its intention to close Castle Hall and merge it with Mirfield Free Grammar.

So Julie and husband Richard, who live in Norristhorpe, had a rethink and put Jade's name down for Whitcliffe Mount and Amber down for Cleckheaton's West End.

"Again, we thought they would both be in the same area for travelling," she said.

"But Jade became distraught at leaving Castle Hall. We had tears after tears. She cried the whole time. It was horrendous.

"Now Amber wants to stay with her friends and go to MFG but it is full there and we can't get her in. She is not happy about going to West End."

Julie said the family won't be able to manage transport arrangements.

Julie, a childminder, is so angry she called the council on Monday and asked for a home schooling pack. She is also appealing to MFG for a change of heart.

"And all this has set the girls against each other, blaming each other," she said. "They are fighting all the time.

"Amber keeps asking which school she is going to and I can't answer her.

"I can't sleep, I have a permanent headache and feel I'm to blame. But I did what i thought was right at the time.

"The council does not realise just how all this affects families like us."