THERE are dramatically contrasting emotions today for those involved in the battles to save two Gwent schools.

Overjoyed parents in Ponthir are still coming to terms with the fact that their treasured village school is safe.

After 18 months they are celebrating defeating Torfaen council's move to axe the school following Wales education minister Jane Davidson's decision to overrule the proposal.

But in the village of Argoed there is despair following the decision by councillors to close the local primary school.

The only ray of hope, according to head of Argoed primary Trish Walters, is the Ponthir success.

"We are devastated today - we just cannot understand the arguments of the LEA," she said. "But we are determined to pull together and fight this." Now the final decision will again be made by Ms Davidson.

Ponthir campaigner and mother-of-two Lynne Grant summed up the contrasting mood.

"We're on cloud nine, just absolutely delighted," said Mrs Grant, 41, of Station Road.

"There will always be times when a school has to close but we always felt there was never a case for that to happen here."

If Ms Davidson had recommended closure, Ponthir would have closed in July.

Now Mrs Grant says her four-year-old daughter Elly will start at the school in September as planned and join her brother Tomos, five.

"I'm so pleased she will join children and a community she is already part of - it's wonderful but could all have been lost."

The Save Ponthir action group fought for 18 months to keep the school. Campaigners lobbied AMs, made a CD with pupils, organised dozens of meetings and events and distributed posters.

A parent governor at Argoed, Rebecca Williams, said despite the disappointment parents would now unite and fight the plans to close the school. Parents have already handed in a 600-signature petition.

"It's encouraging to hear about Ponthir," said the 37-year-old mother of two.

She added: "We will be lobbying Jane Davidson and registering our objections."

Caerphilly council says the school's size - just 53 pupils - makes it unviable.