Around forty parents took part in the protest in Haverfordwest

The parents of the 52-pupil Hermon School have vowed to fight county council plans to merge it with Crymych and Blaenffos primary schools at a single site at Crymych.

Members of the council's scrutiny committee agreed to press ahead with the merger despite a protest by 40 people outside county hall in Haverfordwest on Thursday.

The authority says a single area primary school would be more cost effective and provide better education standards.

It is simply bizarre that the local authority want to close it down Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones

Protesters chanted "Hermon is the school for us - keep it open with no fuss" outside the meeting.

They say the majority of parents are against the merger and are proud of their village school.

They want the authority to invest money in existing buildings rather than create one larger school.

The parents recently met with Mid and West Wales AM Helen Mary Jones who says she will take up their fight at the Welsh assembly which will have the final say on the matter.

Valid argument

"This is a school that is full, cost-effective and delivering a very good education to its pupils in a happy atmosphere," said the Plaid Cymru AM.

"It is simply bizarre that the local authority want to close it down.

"I was very impressed by the commitment of the parents and staff to the school and the children.

"It is a friendly school, where the children are clearly receiving a very good education.

"The cost of educating each child is actually below the average for the county.

"In fact, Hermon is not a small school at all and the council's decision to close it seems to be based only on the argument that it is near Crymych.

Parents want the council to invest money in existing buildings

"In my opinion, that is not a valid argument for closure."

The issue will be discussed again at a full council meeting later this month and the closure plans are likely to be rubber stamped by the council cabinet in September.

Cabinet member for education John Davies said he was sympathetic to the parents' views.

But he said the authority had a limited resource to provide for all the pupils in Pembrokeshire, and Hermon was so close to Crymych.

"It's only a three minute drive along a very safe and convenient road.

"The situation is quite clear in that it's in excess of its capacity and eventually the question will arise how we expand and invest in its future.

"We've looked at that in great detail and the answer at this present time is that Crymych presents better educational opportunities."