Speculation that a town special-needs school is set to include youngsters with learning and behavioural disabilities have been played down by a county education chief.

Worcestershire County Council's portfolio holder for education and lifelong learning, Councillor June Longmuir (Con-South Bromsgrove) claimed the idea that Chadsgrove School for Physically Handicapped children in Meadow Road, Catshill, is to change its status is in its first draft stages.

She added that nothing specific had been decided but they were looking at something that had been forced upon them by government legislation over the question of Special Needs Education. It is an issue being looked at across the country.

However, despite calls from concerned residents to the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger, Cllr Longmuir assures the public there will be no change to the school's present school status.

She said: "It is just a suggestion at this stage and is not definite. Other suggestions will be taken on board.

"Chadsgrove School is a splendid school and I would be very disturbed to see anything that would take away from the commitment and the way these teachers handle their children."

A council spokesman admitted they were moving towards adding children with learning difficulties to specialist units in mainstream schools but again nothing was concrete and proposals were only in it's draft stages.

The draft proposals will be discussed at a Worcestershire County Council cabinet meeting tomorrow (Thursday).