WALES' education secretary has announced plans for a series of measures protecting rural schools from closure.

Kirsty Williams made the announcement, which will involve new guidance being added to the School Organisation Code, which guides decisions made by local government and includes a presumption against the closure of rural schools, during a visit to Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School in Abergavenny yesterday.

Councils will also be required to carry out more rigorous consultation and look in detail at all viable alternatives before deciding to close a school and £2.5 million will be made available to help schools work together and increase the use of buildings by the community.

Ms Williams said: “It was wonderful to receive such a warm welcome from the pupils and staff here at Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary.

"This school is at the heart of the local community and plays a crucial role for the wider area."

The Liberal Democrat secretary added supporting small and rural schools was crucial to ensuring all young people in Wales have the same opportunities.

“Pupils in rural schools deserve the same opportunities as children in other areas of Wales," she said.

“However, they face particular challenges including small pupil numbers, budget and resource pressures and greater difficulty in recruiting head teachers and teaching staff.”

A consultation into the plans will be held at a date to be announced.