THE fight to save a popular Cwmbran primary school from closure has gained momentum.

Protesters campaigning to save Brookfield School met Torfaen council education chiefs on Friday to discuss alternative proposals for the school.

The council is studying the campaign group's plans, which were professionally drawn up by consultants and architects at a cost of £5,000 from campaign money.

The council has earmarked Brookfield for closure, along with Pentwyn and Ponthir primaries, to combat a surplus of places in the primary sector.

But parent and action group leader Paul Underwood said the meeting had given them hope that they may still be able to save the school.

"We have come away really positive about it," said Mr Underwood.

"We feel they have consulted fairly. The response we are getting is that they are really interested in what we have to offer."

The group say Brookfield can be kept open and expanded to take pupils from nearby Oakfield Primary School at a cost of just £580,000.

Mr Underwood said: "The option we have gone for is a new nursery wing and six extra classrooms.

"We said to them, 'use our options but feel free to change them for your needs'. We wanted to show what the Brookfield site can offer.

"They are proposing to shut Brookfield and spread our pupils over two or three schools.

"Our proposal allows all the Brookfield and Oakfield pupils to come together."The council are gathering all the information together and making a full informed decision.

"I only hope they are not just paying lip service to us."

Councillor John Turner, executive member for education, said: "It was a productive meeting. The Brookfield action team have provided further information and the LEA will continue to assess the proposal."