WOMEN staff members at a Gwent school are furious after the local council promised them thousands of pounds in back pay, before changing its mind.

Four lunchtime supervisors at Henllys Church in Wales school, Cwmbran - one of six faith schools in the borough - branded the decision by Torfaen council as "disgusting".

Authorities across Wales have assessed hundreds of jobs under new legislation known as the Single Status agreement, which comes into force in April.

It is designed to iron out pay inequalities between men and women.

Joy Crabb, Sandra Stevens and Barbara Pantlin were all told by Torfaen council they would receive £2,369 after tax, and Heather Cawley was expecting £987.

But just a week after being told the woman received letters saying it was all a mistake because they worked in a church school and are not technically employed by the LEA.

"It's disgusting - we are being discriminated against," said Joy Crabb, 60, from Ty Canol, who has worked at the school for 12 years.

"We are doing exactly the same job as other lunchtime supervisors all over Torfaen."

The women work for about 80 minutes five days a week and earn up to £170 a month.

"We are not going to give in without a fight - we'll be going to the National Assembly if we have to," said Sandra Stevens, 42, from Ty Canol.

The school's head Mark Durbin, and board of governors are backing the women.

Mr Durbin said: "Legally, the council has no obligation to pay them but we feel they have a moral obligation."

One other lunchtime supervisor received a letter at Our Lady of the Angels in Cwmbran.

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BACK PAY Henllys CIW School is funded by the Church and Torfaen council. The church pays for the buildings and their upkeep - the council pays the wages. But kitchen staff are directly employed by the LEA and will get back pay, while lunchtime supervisors are employed by the governing body and won't. Peter Durkin, corporate director for resources at Torfaen council said the letters were an "error" He added that payments were being made now to avoid lengthy tribunals. "Back pay is mostly due to women in low paid jobs," he said.