CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a closure-threatened Pontypool school last night demanded the resignation of its head teacher.

Angry scenes erupted at a meeting of parents and pupils who are campaigning to save Trevethin Community School, when it emerged that head teacher Royston Toon is to send pupils home before a planned protest march on Friday.

As the Argus reported yesterday, the Community Action Team (Trevethin) has organised a march from the school through the streets of Pontypool at school closing time on Friday.

However, Mr Toon is planning to send pupils home half an hour before the march is due to start.

Chairman of governors Lyndon Irwin confirmed Mr Toon had sought permission for the early finish to avoid "confusion".

Today, Mr Toon told the Argus the move was to avoid congestion ahead of the march.

Torfaen councillors have voted to close Trevethin Community School, blaming a steady drop in pupil numbers to 400 for the school's decline. The council says the school is failing and no longer viable.

Last night's mass meeting was held in the school hall to rally support for the march.

School staff were absent and there were calls for Mr Toon to resign.

The action group chairman Arthur Attwood said: "Our first priority is to keep the school open but I am so angry tonight I feel like asking for the head's resignation."

Mr Attwood was backed by fellow committee member Lynda Foxwell, who said: "Mr Toon has shown that he is not backing his school or his pupils and I would call for him to leave."

Former Trevethin councillor Cynthia Howells also demanded Mr Toon's resignation.

"I am absolutely disgusted that he is not here tonight," she said. "He was invited and he has chosen to ignore us. He must go."

Today, Mr Toon said: "We are seeking permission from parents for the pupils to be sent home early because of the possible congestion that the protest march might cause."

He refused to comment on the calls for his resignation.

Earlier at the meeting, Penygarn and St Cadocs councillor Mike Davies urged residents to attend the march to fight for their community.

"I am proud of the area I live in and all you are proud," he said.

"But the council don't care about you, they want to take the school from you. Over 50 years they have given you nothing - only taken from you. Please fight for what you believe in."