PROTESTERS greeted councillors ahead of a meeting where they granted a closure threatened school a stay of execution.

Powys County Council's cabinet, was being advised to close Bronllys County Primary along with primary schools at Llanigon, Rhosgoch and Ffynnongynydd.

However the Powys Independent/Liberal Democrat cabinet agreed to grant Bronllys a stay of execution until 2015 when the council hopes to open a new school in Talgarth.

Protesters from Bronllys picketed the Tuesday, February 14 meeting at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells angered that their children would be moved from Bronllys to the existing outdated school building at Talgarth before transferring to a purpose built school.

Mum of three Clare Barrett, who has one child at Bronllys, welcomed the cabinet's decision to keep Bronllys open.

The 34-year-old retail manager said: "We couldn't be more pleased, it's what we wanted. We didn't want our children to have to move twice. They shouldn't be moved until the new school is built."

The cabinet however pressed ahead with a decision to begin formal closure consultations to close Llanigon, Rhosgoch and Ffynnongynydd schools in summer 2013. The council says the schools will be able to close earlier by agreement.

The decision is part of the council's Gwernyfed catchment review which also proposes building a new school in Hay-on-Wye and investing in school buildings at Clyro, Archdeacon Griffiths School, Llyswen and Llangors.

For full details of the cabinet's decision see this week's Brecon & Radnor Express on sale now.