Kent Messenger local government reporter Alan Watkins ruffled town hall feathers when he obtained a secret list of seven schools facing reviews which could lead to mergers or closures.

Councillors in Medway had been told that seven schools could be at risk but were kept in the dark about their identities, with only officers and a few senior councillors told.

But Alan managed to get a copy of the list from a contact, which named six primary and one secondary school which were under review.

In his exclusive Alan said the council had these schools "in its sights", publishing the names in the Medway edition of the Messenger.

Following the article the council published a statement on its website attacking the Messenger, saying the information was "inaccurate and irresponsible".

It also accused the Messenger of "guessing" which schools might be affected.

But the same afternoon the council held a press conference to announce that the secondary school named by the Messenger was being recommended for closure and merger with another school.

KM senior editor Bob Bounds said: "Not a bad 'guess,' as it turned out.

"We will be watching with interest to see whether any of our other 'guesses' prove to be accurate."