EDUCATION bosses have been accused of "blackening" the name of a closure-threatened school.

Dozens of angry parents challenged council officials over the future of a Pontypool secondary school at a heated meeting last night.

More than 70 parents packed the hall of closure-threatened Trevethin Community School to voice their concerns.

The council is consulting on the future of the school, which it says is no longer viable because of a drop in pupil numbers to 400.

Last night, in the first of the public consultations, Torfaen council education chief Mike De Val warned parents: "We are getting close to decision time."

He said the council had arrived at its preferred option - to close the school and move pupils to expanded West Monmouth and Abersychan schools - but added: "This doesn't mean the council cannot change its mind."

Mr De Val told parents the council faced a "challenging situation" as pupils need a better learning environment than is currently offered. He said £12 million would be spent improving West Monmouth and Abersychan schools. Annual subsidies to keep Trevethin open, he said, would cost £34 per Torfaen pupil.

But one by one angry parents fired questions and accusations at Mr De Val and cabinet member for education, councillor John Turner, who remained silent throughout the meeting.

Penygarn and St Cadocs councillor Mike Davies said the council's figures were wrong, and parent Kath Howells said: "This community has the school at its heart. Torfaen council has damaged parents' confidence in Trevethin school. You have been very negative towards the school."

Trevethin councillors John Marshall and Lewis Jones, the deputy council leader, both said the school's name had been 'blackened' by the council.

Mr De Val denied this was the case, but he was forced to apologise when it emerged that letters notifying parents about the consultation were handed to pupils to take home, and dozens did not make it.

He promised to investigate and call another meeting if it was needed. Following the meeting, Arthur Attwood, chairman of Communities Acting Together, said the meeting was 'flawed' and accused Mr De Val of not answering questions.

Mr De Val said he realised people did not want to see the school closed, but the council had a "hard decision" to make.

Other meetings take place this week: * Consultations for parents (all start at 7pm): West Mon School, tonight (November 2); Abersychan School, November 4; Cwmffrwdoer Primary, November 8; Penygarn Junior School, November 9; Griffithstown Junior School, November 11; Council Chamber, County Hall, November 15; Blaenavon Leisure Centre, November 16.