NEARLY 500 pupils face going to a new school after approval was given to close down their comprehensive.

Children from Trevethin Comprehensive will move to either West Mon or Abersychan schools from September 2005.

Torfaen council's cabinet voted to approve education chiefs' plans at a meeting yesterday - outraging campaigners.

More than 20 parents and residents filled the public gallery and held up posters protesting against the closure.

A report into the 450-pupil school's future revealed the proposal would cost £12.2m and blamed falling pupil numbers for the move.

Upper New Inn councillor John Turner said it was a "difficult" decision for cabinet to make "but the right one".

He was backed by eight colleagues, including Greenmeadow councillor Rose Seabourne. A public consultation will now be carried out and the Welsh Assembly will make the final decision.

Trevethin councillor Lewis Jones called for the school to remain open and blamed poor investment for its state -to the applause of the protesters. "Torfaen LEA that have failed to invest in the school.

"We need to be putting finance in to that area - not closing the school." Leader of the opposition Margaret Pead abstained from voting saying she was "really troubled" by the situation but admitted it would be a battle to keep the school open.

A petition signed by more than a 1,000 was handed to the cabinet by protester Cynthia Howells.

"We're all going to get together and form a committee and have public meetings," she said.

"These people signed the petition in just two days." Campaigners blamed a lack of investment for Trevethin Comprehensive's decline.

Parent Vivian Lewis, who has a nine-year-old daughter, said: "If they kept the up-keep of the school they would not be in this situation. "But they weren't putting money into it."

Mum Linda Foxwell claimed councillors told them Trevethin Comprehensive's future was secured.

"When they were canvassing for votes they were telling us that it was not closing," she said.

"I've got a son with special needs and he's too frightened to travel out of Trevethin."