MALVERN headteachers have joined colleagues across Worcestershire in opting to put pressure on the Government over equal education funding instead of pursuing a costly legal battle.

Last year, the heads and governors from Dyson Perrins, The Chase and Hanley Castle high schools raised £3,500 in preparation for a legal battle.

But the Worcestershire Headteachers' Forum, which is fighting for equal education funding, has now dropped plans for legal action in anticipation of changes in next year's schools funding formula.

Peter Buchanan, headteacher at Dyson Perrins High School, said: "We were advised that if a case was to be brought under the Human Rights Act treating all children equally, it would need a child to take the case to court. It would be long and drawn out.

"We have been promised a change in the funding formula from April next year."