YOUNGSTERS in Worcester are being offered the chance to quiz Education Secretary Estelle Morris on burning issues such as school funding.

City MP Mike Foster, a Parliamentary aide in the education department, has arranged for children to put questions to Ms Morris by sending letters.

She will then answer the children's questions personally.

Issues are certain to include proposals for a new formula for allocating cash to the county's under-funded schools.

Earlier this week, the Evening News revealed only one of four options being considered by Ministers would lead to youngsters receiving extra cash.

Even then, the amount paid per pupil would only increase by £56 per year - much less than campaigners had been hoping for.

Mr Foster has written to every school in the city to make the offer.

"It has been clear to me, during my visits to schools this year, how hard staff are working to maintain and improve standards," the letter read.

"But I also accept that sometimes decisions taken at the top, of any organisation, are not always explained as well as they could be to people like you who have to make them work.

"So if there are questions you wish to have answered, please send them direct to me at my Westminster office, and I will ensure that the Secretary of State sees them and responds accordingly."

The MP told the Evening News: "I want teachers and school staff to ask Estelle the questions that concern them.

"Those questions might be on school funding, discipline in schools, the curriculum, the role of teaching assistants, staff pay - whatever they want to ask.

"I will ensure that Estelle sees them and responds.

"I will be sending a full list of questions and answers to schools in the new academic term."