MP Peter Luff is upset "two-thirds" of parents in Worcestershire have not been given the chance to take part in a campaign for fairer funding for the county's schools.

Earlier this week, the Evening News revealed letters had been sent to 20,000 parents by Labour MPs Mike Foster and Jacqui Smith.

They have been asked to sign the letters - which ask Ministers for extra cash for local schools - and send them back so the MPs can present them to Parliament next month.

But Mid-Worcestershire Conservative MP Peter Luff said only people living in Mr Foster and Ms Smith's constituencies had been invited to take part in the show of "people power".

He is writing to Worcester MP Mr Foster and Redditch MP Ms Smith to complain.

"I want to express my surprise and disappointment the four other MPs in Worcestershire were not involved in this," said Mr Luff.

"I'm sure the people living in our constituencies would have liked the opportunity to take part in this show of 'people power' as well.

"It's a shame the two Labour MPs are seeking to make this a party political campaign, rather than one which concerns the county as a whole.

"To not have the involvement of two-thirds of the county is both regrettable and surprising.

"I know I've been critical of Labour's failure to tackle the funding of our schools in the past, but my constituents have a right to take part."

The letter asks Ministers to provide Worcestershire with additional money, on top of the amount it is due under the Government's controversial education funding formula.

Education officials have found themselves strapped for cash in recent years because of the "unfair" formula - forcing them to plead for extra money.

Last year, the county was given an extra £1.56m.

Mr Foster responded: "Myself and Jacqui did what all good constituency MPs do - fight on their constituents' behalf.

"I can't help it if Peter (Luff) didn't come up with the idea himself. That isn't my fault.

"If we'd written to schools in the constituencies of the other four local MPs, we would've been hauled up in front of the Speaker in the Commons for interfering in their constituency affairs.

"If parents in these constituencies do feel they have been left out, they should raise their concerns with their own MP."

Ministers have acknowledged the funding formula needs changing. This is due to take place in 2003.