CAMPAIGNERS are urging parents at a closure-threatened Newport school to support a last-ditch attempt to save it.

A consultation meeting to discuss the future of St David Lewis Roman Catholic Primary, Bettws, is due to be held on Monday.

An action group, campaigning to keep the school open, believe they can save it if enough parents attend to show their support.

Mike Ryan, chairman of the group, said: "We have a school to be proud of and believe there is hope to keep it open."

The school, which has 84 pupils and is the smallest in Newport, was earmarked for closure in September this year but this was delayed until September 2007.

The Roman Catholic Diocesan Commission, which part funds the school, says there are not enough Catholic children to warrant keeping the school open.

But Mr Ryan is calling for parents to attend the meeting and demand why the school is being closed.

"It's a superb school," he said. "Parents are still enlisting their children there for next year."

The action group have planned a separate meeting for Friday for parents to decide upon a strategy.

If the proposed closure goes ahead, parents will be forced to send their children elsewhere. The nearest catholic school is St Marys on Queens Hill which is about three miles away.

Parent Shelley Wesson, who lives in Nidd Close, Bettws, said that would be too far to travel.

She said: "I want a Catholic eduation for my children and I think it should be provided in Bettws."

Her son Riann-lee, who was transferred to St David Lewis after being bullied at his old school, has thrived there.

Mrs Wesson said Riann-lee, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, benefits from the small class sizes. She said: "He has achieved so much there." The meeting on Friday will start at 7pm at Bettws centre, Newport.

The consultation meeting at the school at 6.30pm on Monday will be attended by education officers, Councillor Bob Poole and the archdiocese officials.