TEACHER numbers in Worcestershire's schools have soared by 120, new figures have revealed.

National statistics show 4,390 teachers were in place at the end of January, compared to 4,270 at the same point last year.

In Herefordshire, teacher numbers increased by 50 to 1,350.

The increase helped the Government claim teacher numbers across England have hit a 20-year high.

But the good news was coupled by an increase in the vacancy rates for teachers in Worcestershire.

The county council has 31 posts waiting to be filled, compared to only eight last year. This represents a vacancy rate of 0.8 per cent, up from 0.2 per cent.

This rise - which comes despite the appointment of 120 extra teachers - is a result of extra Government cash to create new posts.

The vacancy rate still managed to fall in Herefordshire, however, from 1.6 per cent to 0.3 per cent. Only four posts are waiting to be filled.

Worcester MP Mike Foster, a Parliamentary aide in the education department, said he was delighted there were more teachers in the county.

"There are more vacancies at the same time because schools have more cash.

"Quite rightly, they are wanting to spend the cash on more teachers to reduce class sizes and boost standards."

Across England, there are now 419,600 full-time teachers in maintained schools, an increase of 9,400 since January 2001.

This is the biggest single-year increase in any year since 1979, and the highest total since 1982.

"This is welcome news, but we are not taking our eyes off the ball," said Schools Minister David Miliband.

"The recruitment and retention of good quality teachers underpins our reform agenda."

Worcestershire County Council said the figures did not tell the whole story.

"These figures are based on a survey we did, but they are not specific numbers," said a council spokesman.