PARENTS reacted angrily to new council proposals to merge two Torfaen primary schools.

As reported in yesterday's Argus Torfaen council's director of education Mike de Val has put forward a plan to close Brookfield and Hollybush primary schools in Cwmbran and build a new school on the Hollybush site.

Councillors will vote on the proposal next week.

Brookfield parent Alison Strong said: "There just seems to be no logic to the idea of merging Hollybush and Brookfield. I think it's so sad that we could be facing closure.

"It's not what we want. Brookfield is in good condition. It makes more sense to merge Oakfield and Hollybush. The loss of Brookfield will leave a huge gap in our community."

Mrs Strong's son Joseph is in year one at Brookfield. With other parents she has campaigned in the community to keep the school open.

But the council maintains 62 per cent of pupils at Brookfield come from outside the catchment area.

"Many of these people live just a few streets from the school," said Mrs Strong, who lives in Ventnor Road.

She added: "At the moment I can walk my son to school, but if it is closed and merged with Hollybush we will be forced to use a car like a lot of other parents.

"That is going to cause a lot of congestion in Hollybush."

Hollybush school declined to comment on the proposals.

Cheryl James, 38, of Radnor Way is disabled and relies on her electric scooter to make the short journey to Brookfield with eight-year-old daughter Steffenie.

"I have written to our MP Paul Murphy and AM Lynne Neagle. I live just a few minutes away from Brookfield," said Mrs James.

She says her life will be turned upside down if the school is closed.

"I won't be able to escort her to school and Steffenie is not eligible for any transport because we live under three miles from Hollybush," she added.

Brookfield was earmarked for closure along with two other primaries - Pentwyn in Abersychan, and Ponthir, in a bid to solve the problem of surplus places.

Councillors voted to close Pentwyn and Ponthir in June, but a decision on Brookfield was deferred after campaigners submitted detailed plans and costings to improve the school and make it viable.

They wanted to see the site developed to accommodate a possible merger with Oakfield school.