EDUCATION funding in Malvern is so low schools are finding it hard even to buy textbooks.

The situation was condemned by headteachers this week after the Department for Education and Skills published tables to show that not all the money it provides filters through to schools.

Worcestershire was revealed as one of the worst funded education authorities in the country. When Labour came to power in 1997, county schools received £2,380 per pupil per year, compared to a national average of £2,510. Today, they get £3,300 - but the national average is now £3,690, meaning the gap has grown by 300 per cent.

Chase head Kevin Peck said lack of funds meant departments struggled to equip pupils with textbooks. Pupils were also taught art and modern languages in old MoD utility buildings, as there was no money to replace them.

Mr Peck said with a fairer settlement he could reduce class sizes and make more provision for special educational needs. He said county schools competed on a national level in league tables and exams but were not given the national rate of funding.

Peter Buchanan, at Dyson Perrins, described the situation as "iniquitous", saying he had been forced to dip into a reserve fund to keep his school going this year.

He said years of campaigning had failed to make any difference. However, he vowed to keep on fighting for a fairer grant.