A CONSERVATIVE government would address the funding gap between schools in Worcestershire and the rest of the country, promised the shadow education spokesman on a visit to Worcester.

As Tim Collins MP toured Christopher Whitehead High School, in Bromwich Road, St John's, yesterday, he said his party would ensure funding would be spread more fairly if they took power at the next election.

He said the education budget would go up by a third amount over five years from its present to around £62bn by the end of the first parliament after being elected.

Worcestershire is currently ranked 32nd of 34 similar sized shire counties in the amount of money it receives from the government.

Mr Collins sympathised with staff and pupils over the uncertain future of the school.

Christopher Whitehead - which has just been awarded specialist language status - is desperately in need of new classrooms.