A CAMPAIGNING town headteacher has welcomed news that funding of Worcestershire schools is being brought back into the political arena.

Droitwich Spa Tory MP Peter Luff is today due to lead a debate at the House of Commons on unfair county education budgets.

The move has delighted Worcestershire Secondary Heads' Forum chairman Mr Cledwyn Davies, of Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill.

In January, he travelled to London with 200 headteachers to lobby the Government.

Staff want to end unfair funding which means Worcestershire's secondary schools get around £400,000 less per year than counterparts in Hertfordshire and £500,000 less than Birmingham schools.

Teachers are calling for a review of the funding formula.

Mr Cledwyn Davies said: "The discrimination against county children is scandalous.

"In the run up to the elections, we were promised the cash allocation system would be corrected - now I hear we may have to wait until 2005."

The forum is considering mounting legal action against the Government.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Mr Luff said: "The continuing unfairness, that sees Worcestershire schools falling further behind the national average of funding per pupil, must be addressed.

"I hope the education minister will have some good news to share."

Worcestershire County Council's Labour leader, Cllr Peter Pinfield (Droit.Town), said: "I have supported a cross-party letter sent from county members to the Government calling for action.

"Worcestershire is languishing at the bottom of funding tables. We want our fair share."