GOVERNORS at a Monmouthshire school which will be axed after this term said they were disgusted with "bullying tactics" used by the council in the consultation process.

As reported previously in the Argus, Llanover Primary School will close on August 31.

Following this decision, governors at the school wrote a stinging letter to the council, damning them for the way they went about consulting on the closure.

The letter, signed by chairman Dave Rolfe and vice-chairwoman Deborah Allen, said: "We like to commit to record our disgust at what has seemed little short of bullying tactics employed by Monmouthshire County Council during this process."

They say the nature of the consultation, combined with offers of places at other schools, made nervy parents pull their children out of Llanover.

They described the threat of closure as "like the sword of Damocles hanging over the school."

Governors also claim when parents made inquiries to the council about places at Llanover, they were told there were none.

They say the consultation was nothing more than "following procedure."

Governors said the media was notified of the closure before parents and there has been no communication about the procedure of the closure.

The council said the decision to close the school was made by the minister for children, education, lifelong learning and skills, Leighton Andrews, based on evidence from all parties involved in the 20-week consultation.

The authority said it was notified of this decision on May 27 and denied many of the claims made in the letter, adding it understands any school closure will cause some upset but has worked hard to ensure a smooth transition for the remaining nine pupils.