A school in Powys is to close due to a fall in the number of pupils. Ysgol Efyrnwy in Llanwddyn, near Lake Vyrnwy, will shut on August 31.

School governors said the decision to close the school, which caters for children aged four to 11, had been an “extremely difficult” and “painful” one to make.

David Thomas, chairman of governors, said: “This is a sad day for the school and for the community of Llanwddyn.

“The fall in pupil numbers has been quite steep in the last two years and we have recognised the opportunities for the children to socialise and to work collaboratively have become fewer and fewer.

“Very reluctantly we have come to the conclusion that, however dear our school is to us, the children of Llanwddyn would probably have a better educational and social experience were they to be educated at a larger school, albeit in a different village.”

He said the number of children in the school is currently 12, but this would fall to nine from September.

He said the school came under review in 2007, when the council announced plans to close smaller schools or merge them with others.

It forms part of the Schools Modernisation Programme.

Mr Thomas said: “I should like to pay tribute to all who work in Ysgol Efyrnwy.

“We have received support from far and wide and for everybody’s efforts I am truly grateful”.

He said an event to celebrate the history of Ysgol Efyrnwy will be held on June 27.

The remaining pupils are set to transfer to Ysgol Pennant in Penybontfawr.