VILLAGERS fighting to save their school refused to be beaten by a power cut last night and held their meeting lit by torches and candles.

There was standing room only at Argoed Primary School as parents and residents launched their campaign.

Despite the power cut which plunged the village into darkness, people took candles and torches from their protest went ahead.

Argoed Primary currently has 44 pupils and numbers are predicted to fall further over the next few years.

Caerphilly council decided to consult on the closure after considering a report which recommended closing Argoed Primary and transferring pupils to Markham Primary. Shocked parents learnt of the possible closure just weeks after the start of the school year.

Last night residents were united in their desire to save the school, saying the heart of their village would be ripped out if it were to close.

School governors urged them to do everything in their fight closure.

A campaign to save the school was launched and volunteers agreed to visit houses across Argoed with a petition l from front page looking for support.

Chairman of the meeting and school governor Mike Williams said: "We are going to have to work our socks off.

"We all know our school is giving one of the finest educations in Wales. That is our strength."

Glyn Morgan, from George Street, Argoed, said: "It is because of our children that we are going to fight to save our school. We will fight to the end."

Staff from the school did not attend last night's meeting and Mr Williams explained they had told him their union had recommended they did not. Councillor Allen Williams explained how the consultation process would work.

He said: "I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Argoed in their campaign to keep this school open."

Residents quizzed him about what their options were and decided to protest outside the next full meeting of Caerphilly council. They arranged to meet at 7pm on November 22 to prepare placards and banners.