UP to ten schools in Monmouthshire could close under new plans, the Argus can reveal. Separate infant and junior schools should be replaced by primary schools, says a strategic review of education, carried out by Monmouthshire county council.

Among those earmarked for closure are Darenfelin Primary School at Llanelly Hill; Greenlane Junior School, Caldicot; Clydach Primary School; and the village schools in Llanover, Llanfoist, Llanellen and Llanfair Kilgeddin.

Councillors have finalised the proposals, which now go out to consultation. Staff were told of the proposals on Wednesday and yesterday and parents are expected to be informed by the individual schools.

The review would also mean a major restructuring of Abergavenny town schools, with the amalgamation of Harold Road Junior and Park Street Infants schools, and Croesonen Infants and St David's Junior schools moving to the Llwynu Infants School site, where rebuilding work would take place to accommodate them.

The Welsh-medium primary school Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni is then expected to take over the St David's site in Mardy.

There are a couple of options for pupils now attending Darenfelin and Clydach primary schools - either they could attend Gilwern Primary School or Govilon Primary School, where extra building work could be carried out to accommodate pupils from some of the village schools which are closing.

Kevin Williams of Ty Clydd, Darenfelin, is chairman of governors at the primary school, where his ten-year-old daughter is a pupil.

He said: "We had heard rumours about the proposals but it was still a shock. "It will have a devastating effect on the community. No-one will want to move into a village where there is no school.

"Everyone is worried that Llanelly Hill will become a second Pwll Du - a ghost village." Darenfelin, which has 46 pupils, could close by July 2003. A public meeting takes place on Thursday in the Welfare Hall at 7pm.

Monmouth MP Huw Ed-wards said: "Darenfelin governors are devastated about the proposal and want to argue that a new school on their site could serve both Llanelly Hill and Clydach communities."

Greenlane head teacher Ken Jacob said he was told by a school improvement officer it was proposed to close his 183-pupil school by September 2004.

He said: "We are clearly disappointed there won't be a school on this site, which we regard as one of the best schools in Caldicot. I urge the county council to act in the best interests of the town."

A council spokesman said: "We are currently in the process of informing more than 14,000 parents, staff and governors at our 48 schools and other interested parties such as community councils.

"It is right that they should be informed of the proposals before they read details in the press.

"We are therefore not discussing individual proposals until we hold an official press conference on Wednesday."

* Pictured: Year One pupils at Darenfelin Primary School, Llanelly Hill - the school is under threat