A BROMSGROVE youngster suffering from cerebral palsy who has been fighting a four-year battle over her schooling has won legal aid for a judicial review into how Worcestershire County Council has handled her case.

Ten-year-old Karis Lane, who also suffers from Turner's Syndrome, has been the subject of a legal battle between her mother, who wants her daughter to be educated at Ingfield Manor private residential school, in Sussex, and the authority, which refuses to pay the school's annual £44,000 fees.

The High Court ruled Worcestershire County Council did not have to pay the fees and that St Peter's CE Middle School, in Redditch, could meet all her needs.

Karis's mum, Karen, went to the Court of Appeal, in London, to challenge the decision, but the case was dismissed.

The latest judicial review will look into whether the authority has carried out its statutory duties in relation to her case.

Voice of Disabled People national chairman Dr Derek Vizor, who visited St Peter's with Karen and said it was unsuitable for her development, believes there have been a number of breaches of duty in relation to the provision of care and health plans and health and safety checks.

He added: "Karis has not received any education since last October and the authority has a duty to educate her."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "The High Court has already agreed that we do not have to pay for Karis to go to a private school when she can be educated in one of our schools.

"There are a number of children with cerebral palsy who are flourishing in our schools and we are certain Karis can be one of them."