Parents have campaigned to keep their village schools open

One mid Wales school faced with closure has had a reprieve by the narrowest of margins - but two will shut, councillors have decided.

By a majority of just one vote, Powys county councillors decided to keep Llangurig primary open.

But they voted in favour of closing Trecastle and Libanus by a majority of three votes.

About 100 protesters went to hear the debate at Llandrindod Wells which lasted most of Thursday.

We have been battling to keep this school open for the last nine years... all we want is to get on with the job of teaching children Libanus headteacher Angela Reed

Councillors heard that the cost of educating children at the three schools ranged from �6,000 - �8,000 per year, compared to a Powys average of just over �2,000.

The members met after they threw out their own education director's recommendation that Libanus, Trecastle and Langurig schools should close and their pupils be transferred elsewhere.

The schools were under threat because they were too big for the number of pupils they serve.

The report had said that Llangurig, Libanus and Trecastle primary schools should be closed by 2005 while those in Llandinam and Llansilin should be reprieved.

Angela Reed, head of Libanus school, near Brecon, said: "We have been battling to keep this school open for the last nine years and all we want is for the education authority to leave us alone so we can get on with the job of teaching children."

The dispute has been running for months

Dorothy James, chairman of the children, families and lifelong learning committee which overturned the recommendations, warned members would have to consider the effect of next year's budget allocation.

"The allocation looks grim and we are aware that although it costs an average of �2,345 to educate a child every year at a Powys primary school, it costs �6,000 at Libanus school and �8,000 at Trecastle."

Brecon and Radnor Assembly Member Kirsty Williams said: "This is a bizarre decision, to close two schools in Brecon and Radnorshire, while keeping open one in Montgomery.

"It is a devastating blow to communities that have fought hard to keep their schools."