´óÏó´«Ã½

Villagers have staged a protest outside a council meeting over a threat to their primary school in Denbighshire.

People from Llandrillo, near Corwen, opposing the move say the school is at the heart of the village.

Denbighshire council is launching a public consultation next month on proposals which could see two primary schools closing in the Dee Valley.

It follows a review of primary provision which showed surplus places in English and Welsh language schools.

Denbighshire council's cabinet agreed at a meeting on Tuesday to consult on a package of four proposals affecting Ysgol Betws Gwerfil Goch, Ysgol Bro Elwern, Ysgol Caer Drewyn, Ysgol Carrog, Ysgol Glyndyfrdwy, Ysgol Llandrillo and Ysgol Maes Hyfryd.

The proposals follow a four-month consultation which started last November and involved numerous meetings with staff, governors, parents and communities in the Edeyrnion area.

The latest consultation begins on 7 June and ends on 19 July.

The council proposals put Ysgol Glyndyfrdwy, Ysgol Maes Hyfryd and Ysgol Llandrillo under threat of closure, although there are plans to build a new area school on the site of Ysgol Maes Hyfryd.

Leader of Denbighshire council, Hugh Evans, said: "The council is committed to providing a first class education for all children and young people in the county.

"As part of this commitment, the council has agreed that modernising the education provision is a priority as we recognise the importance of having school buildings, learning surroundings and resources that will meet future needs.

"These reflect national drivers from the Welsh Government and Estyn which ask local authorities like Denbighshire to look at reducing surplus places, improve schools and make better use of school buildings."