A Mid Wales school is hoping that it will be able to attract new pupils and stave off the threat of closure by offering a free school bus service.

Parents, governors and staff at Dolfor Primary School, near Newtown, hope the service will att-ract enough new pupils to prevent it being one of the schools closed by Powys County Council.

The council said this year that it would be reviewing 11 primary schools for closure because they had fewer than 30 pupils. Consultation is currently on-going and a decision will be made later this year.

Nick Jones, chairman of governors, said that at a recent community meeting it was agreed that providing transport would make the school more attractive to families outside Dolfor.

He said: “We have so much to offer children in this amazing rural, small school environment but we know many families who live in Newtown and other areas may not consider Dolfor School as an option because of practicalities like transport.

“We’re hoping to change that by providing accessible transport, which will make the school open to all.”

Dawn Rowlands, a parent who transferred her children from a Newtown school, added: “To sum Dolfor up, it is like one big family. Everyone looks out for one another.”

Mr Jones added: “We are in the process of securing a minibus service that would pick up in Newtown in the morning and then drop off again after school.

“We want to make sure the new service meets people’s needs. So we urge any Newtown-based families that are interested in what Dolfor has to offer to come and meet us at our open day tomorrow or get in touch.”

The open day will be held from 10am to 2pm.