TEACHERS are uniting with governors and parents in a bid to save a Gwent comprehensive school threatened with closure.

Staff at Trevethin Community School came out in support of angry parents who were staging a second protest outside Torfaen council's Pontypool headquarters.

The 27 teachers issued a statement - backed unanimously by the board of governors - opposing a proposal by the council to close the school. They also signalled their support for head Royston Toon, who has been criticised by some parents.

Teacher governor David Miller told the Argus the LEA had so far "bungled" in its attempts to resolve the future of the school.

He said the main priority of staff was to keep the school "in the heart of the community".

"Parents know they have got our support," he added. Last night about 60 protesters, including parents and children from Trevethin, St Cadocs and Penygarn - the wards served by the school - converged outside Pontypool civic centre, as members arrived for a full council meeting.

Director of education Mike de Val told the Argus on Monday no decision had been taken by the council, which is launching a series of consultations on its "preferred option" of closing Trevethin and improving sites at West Monmouth School and Abersychan.

Staff and governors want the LEA to consider moving Trevethin to the site of Ysgol Gyfyn Gwynllyw, the local Welsh comprehensive.

This was the original site of Trevethin Community School, and in a letter to the LEA, they suggest the Welsh School could move to another site.

Mr Miller said: "This proposal originated with the staff, and then went to a governors' meeting. They saw there was value in it, and then wanted to forward it to the LEA.

"We want the authority to consult on this proposal as well as its own, but it seems as if the it has made up its mind already.

"Right from the beginning the school's future has been mishandled. The council bungled attempts to replace it, now they are only going to consult on a proposal which sees it closed."

Head Royston Toon declined to comment on his teachers' proposal, but did say "all options" were being explored.