CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save three closure-threatened primary schools say they will continue to fight on.

As we reported yesterday, Torfaen councillors voted to close Ponthir VC Primary and Abersychan's Pentwyn Primary at a meeting on Wednesday because of a surplus of places.

A decision whether or not to shut Brookfield Primary was put off until August.

But parents say their fight is far from over and they will battle on to save the schools.

Campaigners in Ponthir are looking to the Church in Wales for help in order to make the school run by the church as voluntary-aided rather than by the education authority.

Campaigner Lynn Grant said: "The church is very positive about this step and it is backed by the Diocese of Monmouth."

Headteacher Val Baker said: "I think voluntary-aided status is a realistic goal and the perfect way forward for this school now. We have had the support of the church and I think the Assembly will give us their support, too."

Meanwhile, David Leek, a governor at Pentwyn school, said they will now take their fight to the Assembly.

"The only thing that's left for us to do now is to appeal to education minister Jane David-son," said Mr Leek.

"She has to make the final decision and it is to her that we will be writing and appealing."

Brookfield campaigners are gearing up for another round of meetings with education chief Mike De Val. They hope to persuade him their proposals for the school's future are viable.

They have put forward professionally-drawn plans to expand the school and amalgamate with another nearby primary.

Campaign leader Paul Underwood said: "I spoke to Mr De Val after this week's meeting and he was very positive.

"We are confident our plans have merit but we will have to wait and see. The fight is still on."