School funding campaigners are pinning their hopes on a Redditch MP to help in their fight for equal finances for Worcestershire pupils after all else seems to have failed.

Thousands of letters from parents and headteachers asking Prime Minister Tony Blair to improve children's education through fairer funding in Worcestershire have failed to alter the financing system.

The campaigning f40 parents' group, led by Worcestershire's Jonathan Pearsall and Helen Donovan, claim our schools are missing out on £10m a year.

They urged people to write to the Education Secretary, Prime Minister and MPs opposing plans to keep the current funding formula for another three years.

But following a consultation on funding agreements, the Government will be continuing with the existing arrangements - meaning the gap between the lowest and highest funded education authorities will grow even wider, worried campaigners fear.

But Mrs Donovan said it was not all bad news.

She formed part of a delegation of f40 members who are feeling positive after a meeting with Minister of State for School Standards Jacqui Smith, MP for Redditch, on Thursday.

"Her philosophy is 'similar children should get similar funding, no matter where they live'," she said.

"At last someone has acknowledged that the significant contrast between neighbouring authorities is a crucial issue that needs to be addressed."

Mrs Donovan, whose children attend St Mary's RC Primary School in Evesham, said Mrs Smith also believes a more flexible approach needs to be put in place.

"It is clear that the Minister was speaking not only as an MP, but also as a parent with children in schools in one of the worst funded authorities - Worcestershire," she said.

"She also promised to put f40 concerns high on her agenda and work with the f40 Group to find ways for schools disadvantaged by the existing system to get a better deal in the future."