A CAMPAIGN to stop Bettws High School being demolished has met with derision.

C20 - the Twentieth Century Society - is trying to find "prestigious" architects to back its attempt to save the 1972 'Brutalist' building.

The school is being replaced with a much-needed £18 million new building due to open in 2009.

An article in the Architects Journal described the organisation's "last-gasp attempt" to save what it describes as an important building.

Representatives from Cadw, the Assembly's historic buildings watchdog, visited the school on Monday following requests to list the building but no decision has yet been made.

Bettws High School could not be described as one of the city's best-loved buildings and was criticised before it opened.

Sharon Sweeney, whose 16-year-old daughter Measha is a pupil at the school, said: "I think it's ridiculous. It's not a nice building. I went there myself a few years ago and I think it should go."

Colin Baker, of community group Bettws in Bloom, said: "What's the matter with them? For a start the building is unsafe and it's like a concrete jungle."

Mr Baker added the building was a complete eyesore and should be demolished.

Former governer and Bettws councillor Glyn Jarvis said: "The school is unsuitable for the children and is well past its sell-by-date."

He could not see any architectural merit in the building.

"What are they going to save it for?" said fellow Bettws councillor Noel Trigg. "It couldn't be used for anything. It would cost us money to guard it and in the long run it would be vandalised."

The article in the professional journal attracted two comments - one from a London man backing the campaign and one from a Newport respondent who was not surprised at the lack of support.

No-one was available to comment at C20's London HQ.