NEWPORT council is to consult on demand for a second Welsh primary school as the number of pupils in Welsh-language education soars. Some 1,600 more Gwent children go to Welsh-medium schools than ten years ago.

Now, in the face of this growing demand, Newport council is asking new parents whether the city needs a second Welsh primary school in addition to Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd, in Ringland.

It is sending 1,650 questionnaires to parents of children born between September 1, 2004, and August 31, 2005.

The questionnaire asks if parents would send their children to a Welsh-language school if there was one near their home, and to measure interest in a Welsh-language secondary school in Newport. Councillor Bob Poole said: "We know a growing number of parents want their children to be bilingual."

Gwenda Roberts, headmistress of Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd, confirms this is the case.

As Newport's only Welsh-medium school, this primary has attracted more than 400 pupils.

"We have a good reputation and a lot of people hear about us from friends," she said.

"I think it's important people realise Welsh education is open to everyone."

Liz Spellman, 35, from Oxford Street, Maindee, has two children at Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd even though neither she nor her husband, Chris, speaks Welsh fluently.

Bronwyn, three, is in the nursery and Cellan, four, is in the reception class. Mrs Spellman said: "They can access a whole other community with two languages and it will open up career avenues to them."