JOHN Beddoes School in Presteigne is to close and become part of Newtown High School after Powys County Council's cabinet agreed its controversial 'take-over' plan.

Councillors refused to back pleas, put forward by Presteigne councillor - and cabinet member - Garry Banks to delay formally agreeing the plan that will see the school close and its site become a 'Presteigne campus' of the Montgomeryshire school, which is 33 miles from the Radnorshire border town.

The Friends of John Beddoes School, which had campaigned for the council to consider a third option to keep John Beddoes open in its own right, have vowed to fight the decision.

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