HUNDREDS of protesters fighting the closure of their local secondary school ignored the rain and brought a Gwent town to a standstill yesterday.

More than 300 people from Trevethin, St Cadoc's and Penygarn marched through Pontypool protesting against Torfaen council's proposals to close Trevethin Community School.

Parents, children, councillors and governors joined residents who want to see the school maintained. The march was organised by Community Action Group Trevethin.

Action group chairman Arthur Attwood said: "This shows the depth of feeling in the community - the council needs to be listening to us."

Earlier this week there were angry calls for the resignation of Royston Toon, head of Trevethin, after he suggested he would send pupils home half an hour before the march started. He changed his mind after a meeting with campaigners.

Torfaen council plans to send 80 per cent of Trevethin's pupils to West Monmouth School and 20 per cent to Abersychan. Around £12.2 million would be spent to bring both sites up to scratch, though protesters in Trevethin say this is a conservative estimate. They say they want to see money spent on Trevethin instead.

Police closed off most of the town as the 300 marchers made their way from the school, to Pontypool Civic centre.

A wreath was laid at the town's war memorial for those caught up in the Beslan tragedy, and protesters observed a minute's silence.

"I'm marching to stop my children being forced out of their community to another school - they have a right to be educated in their school," said CAT organiser Linda Foxwell, 39, of Blythway Road.

Her 15-year-old son Aaron was among the marchers, along with daughter Robin, 8, who said she was looking forward to going to the school in the future.

Torfaen council has said it is looking at all the options, and insists no decision has been made.