PARENTS of children whose future education is hanging in the balance are forming a group to try and make their voices heard.

Both of Malvern's secondary schools are oversubscribed for the next autumn intake and the situation has caused concern among the parents of children who have still not been placed.

The Chase is oversubscribed by 68 pupils and Dyson Perrins is in negotiations with Worcestershire County Council to take on more than its usual quota of 163.

Parent Gary Lewis, of Duke of Edinburgh Way, still has not heard which school his child will be attending and now wants to hear from other parents in the same position.

"I feel as though I'm being kept in the dark," he said.

"I'm angry because they must have known how many children they would have to place this year, so they should have planned ahead.

"We're trying to form an informal group of parents who are in the same situation, to put pressure on the Council to keep us informed about what is happening."

Peter Buchanan, head of Dyson Perrins, said that he was still negotiating with Worcestershire County Council over financial issues, but he would be offering places to all the children who had applied to the school.

He estimated that next year's intake would be about 190.

Coun Barbara Watton chairman of the education scrutiny committee, said she would be asking questions about the council's demographic predictions.

"I will be finding out why they've had this blip," she said.

If you would like to join the parents group, you can contact Mr Lewis on 01684 567954.