TORFAEN council is to give residents the opportunity to have their say on the controversial new 'superschool' planned for Pontypool.

The £24million Learn-ing Centre project is set to revolutionise education in Torfaen, and will replace the ageing Trevethin and Abersychan Comprehensives.

As well as providing a modern learning environment with modern sports, computers and library facilities, the centre will be open at evenings and weekends for the community.

However the proposals for the centre have caused controversy when it was decided to build it in Pontnewynydd, on the site of Ty-Nant Ddu daycare centre.

The council has since said that £3million will be made available for users of Ty-Nant Ddu to make sure they receive improved services.

It is also carrying out a consultation exercise with day care service users about the future shape of the service in Torfaen.

But many local residents and users of the centre are still hugely opposed to the new school, despite broad support from teachers and pupils at Trevethin and Abersychan, who have to put up with outdated facilities and ageing classrooms.

Now a series of meetings across Torfaen will allow people from both sides to have their say on the planned centre.

A spokesman for Torfaen council said: "Last year, after speaking and listening to a large number of pupils, parents and residents, the council concluded there was broad support for the Learning Centre. This next stage is a more formal consultation with those most affected."