PARENTS fighting the proposed closure of a community school are angry that work has started to improve two alternative schools before a final decision on closure.

Torfaen councillors voted to close Trevethin community school in Pontypool earlier this year.

They said pupil numbers had dropped so low the school was no longer viable.

The decision will be rubber-stamped by Assembly education minister Jane Davidson later this year.

But councillors have already agreed to start the £12.5 million upgrade programme for West Monmouth and Abersychan schools.

Design work for new classrooms at the two schools to accommodate Trevethin pupils is being carried out by contractors. But this means, if the minister then decides to keep Trevethin open, the council risks losing £140,000 in design fees.

Arthur Attwood, chairman of the community action team, fighting to save Trevethin school, said he is "appalled".

"It seems as if the closure decision was a foregone conclusion," he said.

"The council seems to forget that the final decision is still to be made yet they're starting work already. What was the point of consultation? It seems like a done deal.We feel as if all our work is in vain because the council is undermining us."

The action group is determined to fight on and is meeting this week to discuss the news.

David Powell, assistant director of education for Torfaen council, said: "If we wait for a decision before starting design work, the new accommodation will not be ready by September 2007, the proposed date for the closure of Trevethin school."