THE parents of 20,000 Worcestershire youngsters are being asked to sign letters which call for "fairer funding" for the county's schools.

MPs Mike Foster and Jacqui Smith said the letters were due to arrive at local schools today.

The MPs want parents to sign them and send them back - so they can be presented to Parliament when it resumes next month.

Worcester MP Mr Foster said he hoped "parent power" would persuade the Government to allocate the county extra cash.

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

Under the formula, around £3,000 per pupil is allocated to schools in Worcestershire. But youngsters in nearby Birmingham receive £3,500 and Labour has promised to change the system.

"Last year, parents, teachers and governors helped the three labour MPs in Worcestershire gain an extra £1.56m for our schools," said Mr Foster, who is a Parliamentary aide to Education Minister Margaret Hodge.

"But we had to act after the Government had made allocations of cash to councils throughout England - this year we intend to put pressure on Ministers before any allocations are made.

"We know the strength of feeling that exists among parents and teachers about the need for fairer funding of schools, and we need their help this year so the issue is not forgotten.

"We want parents to put their names to letters that we can take direct to the heart of Government.

"The pressure that can be applied by thousands of parents working with their local MP will be tremendous."

Ministers have admitted there are problems with the funding formula and it is due to be changed - but this will not take place until 2003/4.

"We know the system of sharing out the cash between councils is going to be changed, the Government has already stated this, but we want to see more cash coming to our schools again this year," added Mr Foster.

"Last year, Jacqui and I told parents that long-term change was being planned, but we want to see some interim gains before then."

The letters will be presented to Parliament shortly after it resumes on Monday, October 15.