A BELL ringing protest is being staged every night this week as part of a campaign to urge Powys County Council to rethink plans for a school to 'take over' a struggling secondary.

Parents behind the protest want the council to consider a 'third option' for John Beddoes School in Presteigne which the council intends to close and then re-open as a campus of Newtown High School. The Montgomeryshire school, which is 33 miles from Presteigne, will be run as a split campus with 11 to 16 education remaining in Presteigne.

Campaigner Ian Marchant said the council's on-going consultation offered no real choice and said the council should consider the option of allowing John Beddoes School to remain as a separate entity but with the support of Newtown High.

Campaigners have gathered every night at 6pm, since Monday, May 20 to march from St Andrews Church to John Beddoes School and ring bells en route.

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