WORCESTERSHIRE schools could receive a £10m cash boost in the latest education settlement, it was revealed today.

Government insiders said lobbying, letters and other efforts by parents, governors, teachers and MPs had clinched the argument that Worcestershire should be viewed as a special case.

Up to 4,000 letters calling for improved funding for Worcestershire were being handed to Local Government Secretary Stephen Byers today.

MPs Mike Foster and Jacqui Smith said the letters, signed by parents, showed the huge strength of feeling in the county.

The county's education settlement, due to be announced in the next few weeks, will show an above average increase of around five per cent, sources said.

This represents an increase of around £10m on last year's settlement - which had to be topped up by £1.35m because it was so low. However, MPs said they would keep up the pressure until the final figure had been announced.

The county's headteachers are taking a similar stance and are pressing ahead with plans to take the Government to court on human rights grounds.

"Myself and Jacqui have been working on this campaign since August and we enlisted the help of parents and teachers to send these letters to help us prove our case," said Worcester MP Mr Foster.

"We believe it's a strong case and we've already put it to Stephen Byers in a face-to-face meeting. He recognised our concerns, as both MPs and parents whose children go to local schools.

"We must wait to see what the spending settlement is, but I'm optimistic we'll do better than last year's 3.7 per cent increase."

Earlier this week, Conservative MPs and three Worcestershire headteachers had a "very positive" meeting with Local Government Minister Dr Alan Whitehead on the issue.

After the meeting, Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said he was confident "real progress" had been made. But he today warned the key would be size of the percentage increase given to the county.

"It must be above the average for shire counties because the important thing is for Worcestershire to start to close the funding gap," he added.

This will be the last year of controversy as the MPs and teachers have been promised a new formula will be introduced in 2003.