PARENTS fighting plans to close Llanover school have gained backing from the family of a soldier killed in the First World War.

Threatened Llanover Primary School was built in 1925 by Lord Treowen, of Llanover Estates, as part of a memorial to his son Elidyr Herbert killed in the First World War.

Llanover Primary School, which is sited on Llanover Estate, is faced with closure by Monmouthshire County Council as part of its bid to tackle falling rolls and surplus places in the north of the county. Now Llanover Estates, in support of the campaign to keep the two-teacher school open, have written a detailed letter to Monmouthshire County Council opposing the closure proposal.

The landowners have also told parents that they are willing to covenant extra land, alongside the current site, to expand the school.

A campaign by parents, Llanover Primary School - Viable and Vibrant, is battling the council's proposal to close the historic and successful school. Parents have lobbied Monmouthshire MP David Davies, AM Nick Ramsay as well as the county council and local councillors.

Mum Teresa Carew-Chaston, is a member the pressure group and her daughter Claudia attends the school.

Teresa said, "We are delighted to have won the support from Llanover Estates for our fight to keep this fantastic little school open for our children and future generations. We are also thrilled with Llanover Estates' offer to covenant extra land to expand the school.

"Llanover Primary School is a vital part of the local community providing a first class education for local children. It would be a travesty if the school was allowed to be closed down. We are doing our utmost to ensure that this doesn't happen. We just won't contemplate closure."

Mrs Elizabeth Murray, of Llanover Estates, said, "My family have provided a school building in Llanover since 1835 and so I am saddened to learn that the current primary school is being considered for closure. The School plays an important role in the life of the village and surrounding area. Lord Treowen built the school in 1925 as part of a memorial to his son Elidyr Herbert, killed in the First World War."

Mrs Murray said, "The estate is willing to consider the possibility of covenanting adjacent land for the school to expand upon if required.  Monmouthshire County Council will have to discuss the future of the school building with Llanover Estate in any plans they have for closure."

Mrs Murray thanked the committee "for all the time consuming work you are doing to persuade the council to keep the school open."

Llanover Primary School currently has 23 pupils with a capacity of 58. The council is due to come a decision over the future of the school when its cabinet meets on Wednesday, June 24.