CAMPAIGNERS say they are devastated after their school was axed yesterday following a decision by Wales' education minister.

Pentwyn Primary School will close at the end of this school year following Jane Davidson's decision.

Pupils will be split up across other local schools in the area, including Garnteg, Victoria Village and Pontnewynydd.

The school was earmarked for closure more than a year ago when a major reorganisation was announced by Torfaen council after they estimated there would be 2,500 surplus places in Torfaen by 2008 - one in four primary school places.

The figure currently stands at more than 1,600, and costs the LEA about £360,000 a year.

Campaigner David Leek, 72, from Garndiffaith, said: "We are all devastated. This will decimate the village. We've lost the school and that's the village killed off now.

"We didn't have a chance from when it was first proposed." The education minister said the proposal will contribute towards the objective of removing surplus capacity and make more effective use of resources available for educational provision.

Parents have fought all last year to try to save the school and lobbied ministers at the Assembly.

Head teacher Jeff Phillips, who will now retire at the end of the school year, said: "It is what we expected but it is disappointing nonetheless. "You can't replace a school. It's been here 90 years and it's something people look to as an anchor in the community. Everyone has given everything over the last year to try to save the school."

According to Torfaen council statistics, Pentwyn has 42 surplus places, a figure which the council says will rise to 102 by 2008.

But campaigners argued that new housing developments over the next few years would bring more families and fill the surplus places.

Council executive member for children and young people, Councillor John Turner, said: "The re-investment of resources will enhance the educational experience provided for pupils from the Pentwyn area.

"We accept that not everyone agrees with the proposal but issues such as falling rolls need to be addressed."