A VOCAL supporter of plans to move Christopher Whitehead High School has been told to "come out" and declare his interest as the headteacher's father-in-law.

Over the last year, 82-year-old John Hinton, of Victoria Avenue, off London Road, Worcester, has written many times to the Evening News' letters page, in favour of relocating the school, in Bromwich Road, to a new site.

However, members of campaign group CHRISS - Community has Rights in School Site - who want to keep it in St John's, have said Mr Hinton should make his link to the school known.

Paul Saunders and Bill Davison, both from the group, have asked him to let readers know that the Bromwich Road school's headteacher is a relation.

"We believe that his interest was sparked in July 2003, at the same time as Neil Morris, his son-in-law, took over as headmaster," they said.

"As John Hinton lives off Wyld's Lane, what does he know about the life of St John's residents?

"He is clearly not a disinterested observer as readers of his letters would think. So we say to him, be honest, John, are you Neil's mouthpiece?"

Mr Hinton, who was Worcester City Council's estates officer in Dines Green for almost 30 years, dismissed the claims. "It is no secret that he is my son-in-law," he said.

"But I have been a regular contributor (of letters) on a variety of subjects for more than 40 years. The opinions I express are my own entirely.

"My letters have made it perfectly clear that the issue is not one to be determined by St John's residents alone but involves all the former ratepayers of Worcester.

"I'm very proud of my son-in-law and respect his opinions whether or not they coincide with my own. I write neither for, nor on behalf of, anyone else."

Mr Morris declined to comment.