A MOTHER-of-two, who volunteers at her daughters' school to alleviate its cash-flow crisis, has slammed a county MP for blaming teachers for funding problems.

Helen Donovan, who helps out at St Mary's RC Primary School, in High Street, Evesham, has been campaigning for better funding for Worcestershire schools since January.

She has written to every headteacher in Worcestershire and received more than 1,400 petition forms backing her cause.

And yesterday, she joined education chiefs in condemning Mike Foster's reluctance to tap into Government cash.

"The problem is the pot of money we got in the first place," she said.

"In a list of funding in 34 comparable local education authorities - based on similar size and backgrounds - Worcestershire came second bottom.

"The £4m the area cost adjustment (ACA) would bring would help reduce the difference - around £100 per child per year - between us and neighbouring counties such as Gloucestershire and Warwickshire.

"I try and keep out of politics but we are being short-changed, and for Mr Foster to blame teachers' wages is disappointing."

Mrs Donovan started campaigning four months ago, but her requests to meet Schools Minister David Miliband have been refused.

In Tuesday's Evening News, Mr Foster said the Government had "invested billions into the system", but extra teachers and higher wages were absorbing the cash.

And the same day, the Worcester MP suggested headteachers, schools and the county council could do more to help themselves.

He said ACAs, which Herefordshire manages without, would amount to just 2.2 per cent of funding, while schools could search for a better blend of higher-paid, experienced teachers, and younger, cheaper staff.

However, mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff dismissed the suggestions.

"The idea that we should demoralise our teachers by implementing any of these suggestions is bizarre and ridiculous," he said.

"All we need is a fair deal from Government."

And Adrian Hardman, county cabinet member for resources, was angry Mr Foster had shifted the blame for the cash problems.

"He's blamed the Conservatives, the LEAs and now the teachers. Will it be the teaching assistants next?" he said.

"It's time he faced up to the fact that they didn't put enough money into the changes they planned in the first place."

- What do you think? Contact: Voice of Worcester, Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX, or letters@thisisworcester.co.uk