WORCESTERSHIRE has hit Government targets by reducing all infant school classes to less than 30 youngsters by the start of the current school year.

Ministers announced it was among the local education authorities where no five to seven-year-olds were in oversized classes.

It follows a four-year drive since the 1997 General Election to cut class sizes for infants - the age group that benefits most from smaller numbers.

The Government faced legal action if it failed to hit the nationwide target by this September, under legislation brought in three years ago.

Education Secretary Estelle Morris said there were still 68 over-sized classes in England - but that was only 0.1 per cent of the total.

"Reducing infant class sizes has been a key priority for this Government," she said.

"We've seen a remarkable improvement over the last few years.

"Smaller classes allow teachers to spend more time with individual pupils in those vital early years when they need to acquire basic skills.

"Through smaller class sizes, more teachers and more teaching assistants, our infants are now getting the best possible start to their education."

The figures actually show there are still two infant classes in Worcestershire with 30 or more pupils, but they are permitted under the legislation.

That is because children have moved late into the area, parents have won appeals, or there are children with special educational needs.

The education portfolio holder at Worcestershire County Council said she was pleased that the county had reached the targets.

"I hope they realise the major difficulties Worcestershire faces with limited monies," said Councillor June Longmuir.

"To meet our targets we're having to find extra teachers and extra classrooms.

"We would wish the Government would put their money where their target lies."

Across England, there were 440,979 infants in over-sized classes in January, 1996, compared to just 8,000 now.