THE head teacher of two Abergavenny rural village schools is "devastated" at council recommendations to close them in 18 months' time.

Monmouthshire councillors looking into the strategic review of primary schools will today recommend Darenfelen Primary School in Llanelly Hill and Clydach Primary School close in July 2006.

Sian McGrath, head of both schools, told the Argus: "We are devastated and our thoughts are with the staff and the very supportive parents.

"Both are lovely schools and have a very important place in both villages."

The threat of closure loomed over the schools in 2002 but both were given a last-minute reprieve.

In order to retain them, the Local Education Authority introduced a "cluster" model where the governing bodies remained but one head teacher covered both schools.

However, the council argues that pupil numbers have continued to fall - current figures are 16 at Clydach and 25 at Darenfelen.

Both also have large deficits, predicted to be more than 140,000 by 2006. It is not legal for a school to plan for a budget deficit.

Martin Thomas, chairman of governors at Clydach, said: "I am heartbroken and we've got to a situation where we've gone to rock-bottom.

"But we've got quite a few parents who have moved into Clydach with young children and a thriving mum and toddlers' group.

"Parents have pledged to put their children in the school.

"They moved to the area so their children could be educated in a small rural school."

He vowed the school would fight on: "This is not the end of it, far from it. We are not going to lie down."

There are places for pupils of Clydach and Llanelly Hill at Gilwern and Govilon primary schools.

Many parents have already sent their children to neighbouring Blaenau Gwent schools in Brynmawr.

The report does contain good news for the villages of Llanfoist and Govilon.

Members have recommended a 4.6 million, 210-place primary school be built in Llanfoist and that Govilon Primary School be retained at its current size.