TWO Gwent schools are set to close despite high-profile campaigns to keep them open, following a council cabinet decision today.

Cabinet members in Torfaen voted to axe Ponthir VC Primary and Pentwyn Primary, in Abersychan.

But they voted to defer the controversial closure of Cwmbran's Brookfield Primary School until August after campaigners put forward a strong argument to keep the school open.

The Brookfield campaign group had two meetings with councillors, at which they put forward new proposals to keep their school open.

Campaigners for each of the three schools were due to put their case for their schools to stay open to the full council later today, but the full council is expected to rubber-stamp the cabinet's decision.

The cabinet voted 8-2 in favour of closing Pentwyn and Ponthir in July 2006.

Before the vote, head of education Mike De Val told the cabinet it would be a difficult decision.

He said: "We have to take this step in order to deliver the right curriculum for our pupils. This is not simply a negative, it is about dis-investing to reinvest."

Mr De Val spoke about each of the three schools, and told cabinet members each had substantial surplus places and that provision of at least equivalent standard was available elsewhere in each case.

Councillor John Turner, executive member for education, said: "The action groups have argued passionately and I respect all their actions. The proposals are not easy for us to consider but I believe they are the right ones."

Two cabinet members spoke out against the closures. Margaret Pead, whose ward covers Ponthir, said: "It has not been claimed that there are any educational problems at any of the schools selected for closure."

And Councillor Gwyneira Clark said: "To me, to take out three schools will surely have a devastating impact on the lives of the children who attend these schools for years to come."

Speaking after the meeting Paul Underwood, chairman of the Brookfield Action Group, said: "We are pleased that they are giving time to review our proposals that will hopefully allow a community in the south west of Cwmbran educational stability in future."