PENTWYN is a small community with just a handful of houses on a hillside above Pontypool.

The focal point of the village and community is Pentwyn Primary School, a small 19th century building with a little over 130 pupils.

The school has a strong family feel - head teacher Jeff Phillips works with his wife Christine, a year five teacher - and it is popular in the area, with parents from outside the village choosing to send their children to Pentwyn.

But now it faces closure as Torfaen council seeks to reduce a surplus number of places in the primary sector.

The tight-knit community is shocked at the plans, and staff and parents have vowed to fight the proposals.

Mr Phillips, 62, said: "I was surprised obviously when I first heard. When it was confirmed I felt very sad for the staff and the parents."

Rumours started circulating in September, even though it wasn't officially announced until December. Since then the school has seen a steady decline in pupils.

Mr Phillips said: "We have lost nearly 30 kids since September. When the parents heard the rumours they decided to move the pupils. We lost six last week and six the week before. It's been a steady drop. If it goes on like this we won't last until the summer. Parents aren't going to bring their kids here in September if they think it's going to close."

Deputy headteacher Susan Hughes said: "We are a happy school and we work together as a team. A lot of parents chose to send their children here from out of catchment."

Mr Phillips added: "We attract pupils from Varteg, Garndiffaith, Talywain, Snatchwood, George Street, even from Cwmbran, so we must be doing something right.

"But at the end of the day the council is running a business and they can't afford to run at a loss. We are the obvious one to close because of the state of the building. We can't compete with newer schools.

"We only had a new 125,000 roof three years ago. It seems ironic to spend so much on a new roof then close."

What has most upset staff and parents about the closure plans is the loss of a building they see as a valuable community resource.