THE funding gap between Worcestershire schools and those in the rest of the country is totally unacceptable.

This week, our headteachers -- around 200 of them -- are going to Westminster to tell the Government we're not happy.

We're not happy because an average Worcestershire primary school of 500 pupils will be funded £121,000 less than the national average.

We're not happy because a pupil at a county secondary school will receive £302 less than the national average.

And we're not happy that despite paying the same taxes as everyone else, we're treated as the poor relation.

The gap between our expectations and the Government's miserly funding is huge but it is one that has to be closed once and for all.

All we are asking is to be put on the same footing as the rest of the country. We are asking for our children to have the same chance and opportunities as all other children nationwide. There can be no argument on the Government's side.

It is not a fair system when a Government demands standards but does not provide resources on an equal basis.

Not only is the situation unacceptable but it's getting worse.

County MP Peter Luff has revealed that there has been a significant increase in the funding gap between the county and the national average over the last three years.

Mr Luff says: "It's no longer acceptable for the Government to stand idly by while our children are disadvantaged still more."

The protest by our headteachers could be one of the biggest of its kind.

The Government has to take notice of this lobby group. It has to make changes in this unfair system of allocating funds to our children's classrooms. It must act on our grievances.

Or Mr Blair could well be taught a painful lesson at the next General Election.