SHOWDOWN talks have been set up as the fight to save an Opportunities Class in an Amman Valley school rumbles on.

A meeting between parents, governors, Gwenda Thomas AM and local councillor Arwyn Woolcock has been arranged for Thursday, June 7 when it is hoped plans can be set up to battle the closure of the facility at Tairgwaith School.

Furious mother Katie Hill said the reaction to petitions, which have gone as far afield as Neath and Llansamlet, showed how strongly the public felt about the threat.

"It is not just the 12 children in this class that will be affected," said Mrs Hill.

"When they are forced back into the main class the other pupils will see a huge difference because the teacher will be spending time with the children from the Opportunities Class."

A lack of government funding has been cited as the reason for the proposed closure but Mrs Hill insists money for education should be higher on the list of priorities.

"We've heard this week about the Welcome to Wales campaign which is going to cost a fortune but why not save money with that and pump it into schools, where the funding is really needed," she said.