THE school bearing the name of John Logie Baird, the inventor of television, could be facing closure.

The primary in Helensburgh, the town where Logie Baird was born, is less than half full and closure would help Argyll and Bute Council claw back more than #72,000 a year in running costs.

Logie Baird figures in a second authority-wide trawl involving 14 primary schools in a #500,000 savings plan urged by the Audit Commission.

Director of Education Archie Morton believes there is ''considerable merit'' in undertaking a rationalisation programme, although three schools have already closed and final decisions are awaited on a further two.

''It will reduce the level of over-capacity found in primary schools in Argyll and Bute and offer improved facilities for both pre-five and primary pupils,'' he said.

''Additional support from central Government to a maximum of #440,000 is available to achieve these aims.''

However, any moves towards closures are expected to spark bitter reaction - especially since Education Minister Brian Wilson recently made it clear in Dunoon he opposes any rural closedown solely on a money-saving basis.

The Minister, who grew up in Argyll and whose two children until recently attended a small rural school, said: ''I have consistently made clear my view that no school should close on financial grounds alone. There must also be a credible educational justification for closure.''