THERE was sadness and anger yesterday as a Gwent council voted to axe two primary schools.

After a series of meetings between 10.30am and 6pm, Torfaen councillors voted to close Pentwyn Primary School in Abersychan and Ponthir VC primary in July 2006 - despite impassioned last-ditch pleas to keep them open.

A decision on the fate of Cwmbran's Brookfield primary was delayed until August.

In a presentation to the council, Pentwyn campaigner Jean Church said the authority's consultation process was "severely flawed." After the meeting, she called the closure decision "a disgrace".

Pentwyn has 137 pupils and 54 surplus places. The decision will now go to Assembly education minister Jane Davidson to be ratified. Pentwyn head teacher Jeff Phillips said: "We are all sad but this was expected.

"We just have to get on with it now. I can't see Jane Davidson turning this plan down."