DOZENS of schools will be shut tomorrow because of a mass walk-out by council workers.

Education in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire council areas will be hugely disrupted when hundreds of employees, including teaching assistants, caretakers, canteen staff, school crossing staff and cleaners take part in the 24-hour strike.

There will also be closures for other public services, with leisure centres and libraries shut, and refuse collections cancelled.

It will be business as usual at only a third of Newport's 66 schools tomorrow, with 35 completely shut and another seven partially closed, Newport city council said today. The decision on whether to close or not is being left to individual head teachers.

Bettws and Alway day nurseries will also be shut, as well as Brynglas family support service and team.

Only eight of the 68 schools in Torfaen will be open as normal, with a handful of others partially open.

More than 25 of the 43 schools in Monmouthshire will be shut while Blaenau Gwent Local Education Authority has recommended all its 38 schools close and Caerphilly council says most of its 95 schools will be closed.

The councils say the closures are because they cannot ensure health and safety at public buildings.

The action involves several unions, including Unison, Amicus and the GMB, and is over a row over changes to the local government pension scheme, which would see workers retire at 65 instead of 60, and follows a ballot of union members.

In Newport, tomorrow's refuse collections have already been re-scheduled for April 1 and the trading standards depot at Stephenson Street and the refuse tip/civic amenity site will be closed.

There will also be no staff at the cemeteries and Gwent crematorium, while all council-run public conveniences will be closed.

A limited service is planned for the High Street cash office, Cambrian Rd enquiry office and Civic Centre benefits enquiries. People are advised to make alternative arrangements if possible.

Council premises closed to the public include the Corn Exchange, Brynglas adult training centre, Baneswell day centre, Ringwood day centre, Brynglas family centre, Kensington Court day centre, the Transporter Bridge, and leisure centres and libraries.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport council, said: "We are working to minimise the impact this action has on the services we provide, with priority given to protecting vulnerable people.

"The council apologises in advance for any inconvenience the action may cause to the public."

Torfaen council is advising it will run only a "severely reduced service" tomorrow.

It is likely that rubbish collections will now not take place until Wednesday, and that the knock-on effect will mean all refuse collections for the rest of the week will be delayed a day. Black box recycling collections will also be affected in some areas.

The civic amenity site in New Inn will be open as normal as will recycling banks.

Libraries and leisure centres are also likely to be closed, as is Pontypool Market.

It is estimated around 80,000 council workers across Wales will take industrial action tomorrow.