A FORMER Tory party leader has offered his backing and promised to do what he can to help a closure-threatened Gwent school.

Iain Duncan Smith visited Ponthir Primary School after an invitation from David Davies, AM for Monmouth.

He talked to teachers and parents about their concerns and fears of closure of the school and vowed to take the case to Rhodri Morgan and write to the council leader about the issue.

The LEA is proposing to close the 59-pupil school to help cut the number of surplus primary school places in Torfaen, which currently stands at more than 1,500.

Mr Duncan Smith said he had visited the school to support the parents and staff in their campaign to keep it open.

He said: "We can make sure that we try and give as much support as we can and I am prepared to take it up and do what I can to help.

"This issue is bigger than just education; it is about community and people need to understand that and understand that community matters.

"This community school matters and the value of this school matters more than the price.

"It is possible to save schools like this and we will campaign for it."

Parents and staff have formed an action group to save the school and they have sent letters to the council, held public meetings and held protests at County Hall in Croesyceiliog.