MORE than 80 supporters staged a walk to save Newport's smallest school yesterday.

Parents and children from St David Lewis Roman Catholic School, in Bettws, marched to protest against proposals for its closure.

Chairman of the school's action group Mike Ryan said: "We didn't think it would happen but the support has been fabulous. Despite the rain the turnout was exceptional."

The Roman Catholic Diocesan Commission and the city council are proposing to close the school because of falling pupil numbers. There are 84 pupils at the primary school, aged between four and 11.

Last month the council held an informal consultation with the school, governors and parents with a view to considering closure.

Parents, many of whom are past pupils, say their children are happy there.

One parent, Nicola Davies, is worried their close-knit community will fall apart if the school is closed.

"We can't split up 84 children and send them all over Newport," she said. Claire O'Connor, 32, went to the school and wants her two young children to attend. She says the nearest Roman Catholic school, St Mary's, on Queens Hill, is too far away.

The group, holding banners, walked from the school to the city's Wave sculpture, stopping for a break at the Lyceum Tavern in Malpas Road.

A council spokesman said: "The council has been in close liaison with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff regarding the future of this school and is currently in the process of setting up the formal consultation meetings which will take place to debate these proposals."

Canon Peter Collins, chairman of the Archdiocesan Schools Commission, said the supporters were "very devoted to the school".