BATTLE plans were drawn up last night as hundreds of Oakdale Comprehensive supporters prepared to fight to the bitter end to save their school.

More than 400 people - pupils, parents and staff - packed into the school hall for a meeting with governors and the head teacher.

They were encouraged to do everything in their power to keep the secondary school open.

Many were still in shock after Caerphilly council revealed the controversial proposals to close the school, due to falling pupil numbers in the area, two weeks ago - just after the start of the new school year.

Eirlys Jones, chairwoman of the governors, said last night the proposals for Oakdale were "nonsensical".

"But we know we can squash this by Christmas," she said. "It is people power that will sway this. We can do it."

A campaign to save the school has been rapidly co-ordinated - petitions were signed last night and hundreds of car stickers with Save Oakdale School handed out.

Mrs Jones said consultation meetings with the council will be held for parents, pupils, governors and staff on October 17 - and on October 18 there will be a public meeting for all interested parties in the Islwyn area.

On October 20 the proposals will be discussed by the education scrutiny committee and the school is planning to provide buses for people to attend that meeting with banners and placards.

Head teacher Ian Kilcoyne told parents Oakdale was a successful school and there was no reason why it should not become even more successful.

"My job now is to keep the school going as normally as possible. The people who can save it are you," he said.

"In the last three years nearly half a million pounds has been spent on this school. On the day the education director was here, telling me of the closure proposals, there were 20 vans here and we were busy rebuilding the school."

Penmaen councillor and governor Allan Pritchard said the battle "can be won and it will be won".

Cheryl Matthews, whose granddaughter has just started at the school, said afterwards: "We have been very upset and we will do our very best to support this."