AN eight-year-old boy gave up the money he was saving for a PlayStation game to help save a Gwent school.

Euan James was so upset by the proposals to close Oakdale Comprehensive he has donated his £9 to help the campaign to keep the school open.

His sister Bridie, who is 12, is in her second year at the school and Euan, currently a pupil at Rhiw Sir Dafydd Junior, wants to follow her there. His mother Sherie, of Pen-y-Groes, Oakdale, said yesterday that Euan had been moved on his sister's behalf.

"When she came home with the letter saying the school could close she was really upset, so Euan gave her a cwtch. They are very close," she said.

"Then I went to a meeting at the school last week, which was very emotional, and when I came home I explained what was going on as best I could.

"I told them the school needed money to buy banners and stickers and he went upstairs and came down with the money he's been saving for a PlayStation game since the beginning of the summer holiday.

"He asked me to take it to help save the school and said it was more important than his game.

"Euan is hoping to go to Oakdale Comprehensive but he was mostly upset because Bridie was so unhappy."

Caerphilly council revealed proposals earlier this month that could see Oakdale Comprehensive close by 2007, due to falling pupil numbers in the area.

Consultation meetings with parents, staff, governors and pupils are planned for October 17 and 18.

Governors and local councillors have vowed to save the school. Mrs James added: "The children at Oakdale are not just numbers, they have feelings.

"Mr (Ian) Kilcoyne, the head teacher, has come in and done a fantastic job and drawn the community together."

She claimed the council had not taken into consideration the number of new houses being built in Oakdale.